Ronald A. McKnight

Ronald A. McKnight, SMSgt USAF (Ret), 68, of Abilene, died Saturday, October 1, 2011. Funeral services will be at 9:30 am on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Roy Blackwell will officiate. Burial will be at 11:00 am at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Monday at the funeral home. Ronald was born February 20, 1943 in Lumberport, West Virginia to John and Geraldine "Gerry" (Wells) McKnight. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1989. He was later employed by the City of Abilene Water Department as a water plant mechanic. Ronald married Linda G. Blackwell in Coleman, Texas on November 26, 1983. He has lived in Abilene for the past 22 years and was a mason at the John Sayles Lodge. Ronald was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Chris McKnight. He is survived by his wife, Linda G. McKnight of Abilene; two sons, Randy McKnight of Sydney, Ohio, and Jeff McKnight and wife Alicia of Houston; two step-daughters, Debbie Rosales and husband Silver of Coleman, and Kande Flowers and husband Michael of Corsicana; one step-son, Randy Walker and wife Kim of Ft. Worth; one brother, Larry McKnight and wife Tammy of Parkersburg, West Virginia; three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and four step-grandchildren. Randy Walker, Silver Rosales, Paul Lord, Alvin Lord and Rowdy Lord will serve as pallbearers. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Association, 3402 N. 1st St., Suite 102, Abilene, TX 79603; or to Hendrick Hospice Care, P.O. Box 1922, Abilene, TX 79604.