William Henry Knapp III

Bill was the oldest child of a family of 14. He is preceded in death by his parents and 6 siblings – brothers Donald, Joseph, Thomas, Christopher and sisters Deborah Knapp and Karen Appleyard. Bill is survived by 2 stepsons - Robert Duggan and Jeremy Duggan, and 7 siblings – sisters Patty MacLaren, Mary Ellen Williams, Kathy Brinks, Joan Knapp and brothers – Bob, Jim and Chuck.

Bill graduated from South Haven high school with the Class of 1958 as valedictorian of his class. Bill was awarded the All-Sportsman Trophy and the acclaimed Critic Cup which was for scholarship, character, personality, participation in school activities and service to the school. Bill was also given the American Legion Merit Award for highest ranking student. Bill received his early education at St. Basil parochial school in South Haven.

Bill went on to get a BS degree in Metallurgical Engineering at Michigan State University, followed by a 2 year US Army service at White Sands missile range in New Mexico. Bill went on to continue his education at Michigan State University with a Master degree in Physics and Astronomy.

Bill loved and played baseball through high school, the army and college. He enjoyed a summer working at Ted Williams baseball camp in Massachusetts, coaching and counseling boys between 8 and 19. During high school Bill also enjoyed playing football.

Upon earning his Master’s degree Bill found his niche teaching at East Lansing High School. Bill was a physics teacher until he retired from ELHS. Bill was truly beloved for his humor and fun ways of teaching physics to young people. Bill dedicated himself as coach to their baseball program. He also was an assistant football coach. He excelled at both teaching and coaching, having received teacher of the year and coach of the year awards. Bill felt honored to be department head for science during part of his tenure. Bill was also recognized as one of 5 ELHS teachers for excellent contribution to the education of many students, describing Bill as having an interesting personality, a dry wit, and enthusiastic and dedicated.

Bill was not limited to just baseball and football. He picked up golf as a young man. Before that Bill had said he didn’t understand why people would hit a ball and then chase after it. Once he tried golf, Bill loved it and introduced it to his many younger brothers at Monroe park, the back yard of the family’s home in South Haven.

When Bill married Suzanne Duggan (a South Havenite) in his early forties, he became a stepfather to two young boys. At their first Christmas many of the presents under the tree said from D.O.D. At first his kids thought Bill was trying to be respectful and didn’t want to say dad. When the presents were opened, Jeremy remembers getting rockets, robotics and chemistry sets… it was meant as “Department of Defense” – a great example of Bill’s wit and sense of humor.

Celebration of Life for William Henry Knapp III will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2026 from 2pm-4pm at East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, East Lansing, MI 48823 in the Recital Room **FOLLOW THE SIGNS**