Obituaries

The Reverend William G. Kniceley, 73, of Brushy Fork Road, Bridgeport, died on Monday, January 8, 2018, at Colonial Place in Elkins following an extended illness.

He was born in Clarksburg on July 6, 1944, the son of Delbert H. and Sara Moss Kniceley.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann Stout Kniceley, whom he married on August 17, 1967.  Also surviving are his three daughters and their families: Rebecca Kniceley-See and her husband William and their daughter Emma Sophia; Jennifer Kniceley Sprouse and her husband Bart and their daughters Sara and Morgan; and Christy Kniceley Nichols and her husband Brian and their daughters Caroline and Katherine Elizabeth (Katie Beth).  Also surviving are his brother and sister-in-law, Don and Carole Kniceley, and several nieces and nephews.

He was a 1962 graduate of Bridgeport High School and held a Bachelor of Arts in education from Salem College.  After teaching two years at South Harrison High School in the areas of social studies and English, he enrolled at Methodist Theological School in Ohio at Delaware, OH, and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1971.  During seminary, he served as a student pastor at the Cheshire-Berkshire United Methodist Churches near Delaware.  He was ordained a Deacon in 1969 and then in 1972 an Elder in the United Methodist Church.

Churches he served in the WV United Methodist Annual Conference included Epworth United Methodist (South Parkersburg), Washington United Methodist (near Parkersburg), Oak Hill United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church (Clarksburg), and First United Methodist Church (South Charleston).

He served on the Annual Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry and the Board of Ordained Ministry during a few years of his ministry.  He later served as a trustee for the United Methodist Foundation of West Virginia.  His District committees included the Committee on Ordained Ministry, the Committee on Church Location and Building, and Council of Ministries.  He also served as a Parish Coordinator and on the Board of the Beckley Child Care Center.  Occasionally he was a mentor for a person new to ministry.  He enjoyed being a part of the Ministerial Association in each area where he served.

Reverend Kniceley was a graduate of the United States Army Chaplain School, Basic and Advanced Courses, at Fort Hamilton, NY, and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Monmouth, NJ.  His overseas Army service included training in Germany and Honduras.

Chaplain (COL) William G. Kniceley (Retired) served for 30 years in the WV Army National Guard (WVANG).  He was first attached to the 1092^nd Engineers Battalion in Parkersburg and then to the 111^th Engineers Group at St. Albans.  For 22 years he served as the Senior State Chaplain on the Staff of the WV State Adjutant General of the WVANG, at the WVANG State Headquarters, Coonskin Park, Charleston.

After his retirement in 2005, Reverend Kniceley enjoyed living at the Brushy Fork home where he grew up and preaching occasionally in area churches.  His greatest delight was in being Papaw to his granddaughters.  He was grateful to worship at Bridgeport United Methodist Church during his retirement years.

Family and friends may call at the Bridgeport United Methodist Church, 251 Worthington Drive, Bridgeport, WV  26330 on Thursday, January 11, 2018 from 2:00 to 8:00 pm.  Where funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm on Friday, January 12, 2018 with Reverend Dr. Ken Ramsey officiating, and Reverend Dr. Daniel Kimble, Reverend Steve Engle, and Chaplain (COL, Ret.) Bruce Reed participating.  Rev. Kniceley will lie in state from 11:00 to 11:45 am.    Interment will follow in the WV National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the United Methodist Foundation of WV, P.O. Box 3811, Charleston, WV  25338-3811.  www.umfwv.org.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com.  A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.