Anna "Billie" Rachel Knapp

Anna “Billie” Rachel Knapp passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday morning, March 27, 2016 at Green House Living in Sheridan, WY. Born June 16, 1923 in Basin, Wyoming to Louie and Merle (Nelson) Bell, she was affectionately nicknamed Billie by her two siblings. Billie grew up on ranches in Hyattville and Lucerne, WY, graduated from Thermopolis High School and the University of Wyoming where she earned a BA in Education. Billie accepted a teaching position in Shoshoni, WY and met her future husband David J. Knapp.

Billie and David married on June 9, l948 and moved to his family’s ranch at Lysite, WY. They had two sons, Thomas E. (Tom) and Theodore L. (Ted). After David’s unexpected death in 1960, Billie returned to the University of Wyoming and received her teacher re-certification. She accepted a position in Thermopolis where she taught for 29 years.

Billie enjoyed traveling and playing bridge with friends, but her true love and enjoyment was family, especially her grandchildren (Lisa, Melissa, Brad and David). Billie was a member of the Thermopolis Community Church, PEO Sisterhood, Delta Kappa Gamma Society and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Billie was preceded in death by her parents (Louie and Merle Bell), her husband (David J. Knapp), her brother (Marvin Bell), and her sister (Virginia Bell McManis). She is survived by her two sons, Tom (Glenda) of Bozeman, MT and Ted (Mitzi) of Sheridan, WY; grandchildren, Lisa Knapp of Casper, WY, Melissa Rieger of Sheridan, WY, Bradley Knapp of Dickinson, ND and David Knapp of Seattle, WA; great grandchildren, Addison, Hudson and Payson Knapp and Parker Rieger; nieces, Dona (Paul) Hagen of Billings, MT and Rochelle (Ed) Nagel of Dallas, TX; nephew, Byron Knapp of Houston, TX; and great niece, Sydney Hagen of Portland, OR.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, April 9, 2016 at the Community Federated Church in Thermopolis with Pastor Ross Kershaw officiating. A private family burial will be at Monument Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to: Hot Springs County Museum or Hot Springs County Historical Society. Online condolences may be written at http://www.championfh.com and http://www.mortfh.com. Local arrangements are under the direction of Mortimore Funeral Home.