William Knauer

William "Billy" Knauer, 75, passed peacefully away on Friday, April 14, 2023 surrounded by his wife, son & daughter. Born in Baltimore, MD, Billy was a son of the late William Knauer, Sr. and Helen Zelenko Knauer.

A Vietnam Veteran, Billy proudly served in the US Army during the years 1966-1968; in the artillery division- Big Red One & the 11th Calv. He was a graduate of Baltimore City College High School. He retired following a number of years of dedicated service from Mercantile Bank as an audit manager. Billy relocated in 2014 from Maryland to enjoy the beach life with his true love...

Billy was the devoted and beloved husband of Debbie Shoemaker Knauer. Although they were only given six years together as husband and wife, their love was deep and the memories that were made will never be forgotten. He enjoyed warm sunny days joy-riding in their jeep as well as lazy beach-sitting afternoons but Billy was always happiest spending time with Debbie in their “happy place.” Each day filled with love, laughter & a zest for life…while always having an infectious smile. Billy loved his family, camping, music, drumming, friends, his pets, grilling, & walking on the beach.

Billy was a talented drummer, who excelled at the art of rudimental drumming. He spent a lifetime pursuing his passion in the drum and bugle corps genre as a performer, Instructor, arranger and judge of field competitions, even taking a pair of sticks with him for relaxation during his combat service in Vietnam. After mastering the basics at an early age with the Redman corps, he became a member of the snare drum section at the Maryland State Champion of Saint Marys Lancers Junior drum and bugle corps, appearing in the first ever television program devoted to a single corps drum corps and National Champion Baltimore Yankee Rebels Sr. Drum & Bugle Corps in both the competing & alumni corps. For a decade, he performed with precision percussion ensemble known as the Mason Dixon Line. While he entertained audiences of thousands over six decades, his humor, insufferable antics, jokes and wisecracks behind the scenes likewise entertained and amused his fellow musicians as well. He was inducted into the Maryland Drum and Bugle Corps Hall of Fame in 2019.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Debbie are his son, Michael (wife, Dawn) Knauer; daughter, Rebekah (husband, Benjamin) Sawyer; son, William “Buford” Nixon; granddaughter, Gianna Sawyer and grandson Connor Nixon. His brother, Blane Knauer, preceded Billy in death.

A Celebration of Life will be held by the family on a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leefhandcrematory.com for the Knauer family.