William Robert Knipple

William Robert Knipple, 87, Altoona, died Friday at his home. He was born in Juniata, Altoona, a son of the late William Edwin and Alma Alberta (Stambaugh) Knipple. He married Betty Lou Shultz on May 13, 1979, in Tyrone. Surviving are his wife; two daughters: Kathryn J. Dougherty (Ronald) of Windber and Carol A. Colyer (Ronald) of Tyrone; three sons: Rodney W. in Kansas, John P. Sabol (Betty) in Tyrone, and James M. Sabol and fiancé Tamara of Tyrone; 13 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren, including Emily R.M. Holland who was raised in the home and Alyssa Neff whom he called one of his girls; 2 great great grandchildren; a sister, Edna M. Yeager of Altoona; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jane Turbett Knipple; two sisters: Mary L. Mook of Akron, Ohio and Helen M. Wertz of Altoona; four brothers: James E., John W., Richard D. and Joseph V, all of Altoona. He retired as an Altoona Postal letter carrier on November 2, 1990 with 26 years service. He was a veteran of the US Army from 1949 – August 1953 and was a POW in the Korean Conflict for 31 months having been captured on January 20, 1951 and released August 20, 1953 when he walked across the Freedom Bridge and came home on the USS Pope. He was a member of the American Legion and Korean War POWS, VFW Post #3, Amvets and the DAV. His hobbies included Lottery tickets, coins and tinkering with cars. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at Mauk and Yates Funeral Home, Inc., where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 30, 2020, with Pastor Jeffrey Hite, officiating. Committal will be at Blair Memorial Park, Antis Twp., with military honors.