William Charles Knutsen was born on August 9, 1939, on a farm near Slayton, MN to Vernon and Lucille (Paden) Knutsen. Bill was raised by his mother Lucille, her sisters and their husbands. Bill was mentored by his step-father Lloyd Olson. He met his wife Annette in grade school. In 1957 he graduated high school in Tracy, Minnesota. He joined the US Navy directly upon graduating from high school and served until the summer of 1960. Bill married Annette Aarthun on March 11, 1961. Bill and Annette had four children, Todd, Jay, Craig, and Shelley. Bill would say he had three careers. From 1960 to 1979 Bill worked in the electronics industry. From 1979 until his retirement in 2003 he worked in the glass industry. He served three terms as the President of the Glass Association of North America. His third career was life-long volunteering in all of the communities he lived in. In Montevideo, MN it was his participation in the United Methodist church, Brookside Manor and Meals on Wheels. In Owatonna, MN he was especially proud of his work with and leadership of Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Bill received numerous awards and recognition from other groups. He was also particularly proud to receive a Humanitarian Award from Apogee Enterprises, Inc. In Amery, WI it has been his work with Polk County Department of Aging and Trinity Lutheran Men in Mission. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Bev Baker, his beloved son Craig and his nephew Kevin Baker. Bill is survived by his wife Annette; sons Todd (wife Laura), Jay and daughter Shelley (Mike) Devine; grandchildren Katie, Clint, Rachel, Kurt, Allie, Clare, Ted, Jordan, Steve, Taylor and great grandchild Cora. He is also survived by a step-brother David Olson and half siblings, Mary Knutsen Kentch, Timothy Knutsen, Diane Stillwell, Steven Knutsen, and many other loving relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Dave Teig officiating. A visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, September 6, 2010 at the Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery, as well as one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements were made with the Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Amery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Serenity House in Balsam Lake, WI.