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William Regis (Bill, Jr.) Sandknop, 76, of Camdenton, formerly of Edina, MO, and Davenport, IA, died Sunday, February 25, 2024 with his family by his side.

Bill was born March 23, 1947, to William H. (Bill) and Mary Elizabeth (Betty) (Hindman) Sandknop in Edina, MO.

Growing up, Bill helped his parents farm, but his passion was sports, participating in track, baseball, and basketball, being selected Missouri First Team All-State basketball. Graduating from Knox County High in 1965, Bill went on to play basketball and baseball for Quincy College and earned a BS in education.  After college graduation, Bill married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Deborah Ann Douglass of Novelty, MO., on August 2, 1969.

Bill and Deb lived in La Belle, MO, where Bill taught and coached basketball and earned his masters of education at then NMSU.  After their son Derek was born, the three moved to Walcott, IA, for Bill to begin his 30+ year career in school administration in Walcott and Davenport schools. It didn't take long for "the powers that be" to appreciate Bill's sense of humor and ability to make mundane meetings enjoyable, often selecting him to Emcee major school events.

During these years, Bill and Deb became a foster and adoptive home, adding five more children to their family: Sarah, Nicholas, Michael, Heather, and Tori. Bill and Deb enjoyed taking the kids in their conversion van on vacations—skiing in Colorado and relaxing on the beach in S. Padre Island, TX.

In 2006, they moved to Camdenton, MO, to enjoy retirement. The lake community became his home, where he visited and laughed with his many retired professional friends at their "Adult Daycare Bar."   Bill loved golfing at Old Kinderhook and Deer Chase. He then started what he called his "disease of the month."

Bill is survived by his wife of 54 years, Deb, his sons Derek (Jenny), Nick, and Mike, his daughters Sarah Tietge, Heather Sandknop, and Tori Sandknop, as well as 15 grandchildren Lindsey, Kade, and Emma Sandknop; Megan (Shelby) Thurman, Ashley, Austin, and Dawson Tietge; Charlie, Jack, and Stella Sandknop; and Karma, Brooklyn, Scottie, Waylon, and Nova, as well as a great-granddaughter on the way.  He is also survived by brothers Les (Claudia) Sandknop of Rockwall, TX, and Bob (Jani) Sandknop of Boonville, MO. as well as five nieces and nephews and their spouses and children, and scores of friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his infant grandson Douglass Tietge, his parents, Bill and Betty Sandknop, his in-laws, Jr. and Stella Douglass, and his grandparents Lewis and Catherine Hindman of Pennsylvania, and Dutch and Esther Sandknop of Edina.  (In the 1940's, Dutch opened Sandknop Clothing Store and The Blue Room, both in Edina, "as the boys were coming home from the war.")

Bill will be missed by his many friends and family (who knew him as the YES man.)

Visitation at Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO, will be Wednesday, Feb. 28th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 5:00 p.m.  A funeral service will be held Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 10 a.m. in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO.   Officiating the services will be Father Boniface Kasiita and Deacon Ken Berry.  Private family burial will be held in the Linville Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be Michael Sandknop, Nicholas Sandknop, Shelby Thurman, Austin Tietge, Kade Sandknop and Gerrad Bard.

Memorials may be made to American Parkinson Disease Association or Dogwood Animal Shelter of Osage Beach.  Memorials may be left at or mailed to Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, MO 63537.