Willie Franklin Knowles, age 85, of the Village of St. Helena passed peacefully to his heavenly home on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at his home surrounded by loved ones.

He was born July 22, 1926 to Marion Knowles, Sr. and Lomie Tadlock Knowles in Duplin County. Also remembered is his wife, Virginia Reaves Knowles who died in 1961. After Virginia's death he married Pauline Caddell Knowles, who died in 2009 following 48 years of marriage to Willie.

Willie served in the US Army from 1945-1947 in Italy with the 88th Division of Infantry. He was a member of the Burgaw V.F.W. Mr. Knowles served on the town board of St. Helena since it's inception in 1988 and worked diligently to make St. Helena a better community. For many years he was employed with Carlisle Poultry and Egg in Burgaw and worked for Hercofina until his retirement in 1989. Willie was also a farmer.

Willie was a faithful member of Penderlea Pentecostal Holiness Church where he was help mate to his wife, Rev. Pauline Knowles, in preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ for 50 years, serving the Penderlea Pentecostal Holiness Church for 41 years, retiring in 1998. He was a member of the Pentecostal Holiness Brotherhood in the NC Pentecostal Holiness Conference.

Surviving are his loving family; sons, Robert Knowles (Lynne) of Burgaw, Wilson Knowles (Ann) of Rocky Point and Ray Knowles (Ginger) of Watha; daughters, Sandra Harris (Lloyd), Marilyn Tomassetti (Tony), Kaye Knowles and Rita Nance (David) all of Burgaw; 12 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; brothers, Marion Knowles (Alma) of Watha, Wade Knowles (Melba) of Atlanta, GA and Rodney Knowles (Barbara) of Wilmington; sister, Doris Webber of Atlanta, GA; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Willie was a man of great faith, integrity, and honor who walked the walk of his Christian beliefs on a daily basis. All of his life he set a wonderful example of life and living for his children, grandchildren and everyone he came in contact with. Willie always taught his children to love people that would let you love them and for those that would not receive your love pray for them and love them anyway.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 16, 2012 at Cora's Grove Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church, 4875 Cora's Grove Rd., Watha, NC 28478. Burial will follow in Burgaw Cemetery. Casketbearers will be David Nance, Lloyd Harris, Tony Tomassetti, Christopher Nance, Jamie Tomassetti, David Knowles and David Nance II.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home in Burgaw.

A special thanks to our Lower Cape Fear Hospice nurse, Betty Tiernan, Dr. B. P. Singh and his staff, Pam Baker F.N.P., members of Cora's Grove P.F.W.B. and Penderlea Pentecostal Holiness Churches. A special heartfelt love to his sister Doris Webber for being his caregiver. Your compassionate care and loving concern will always be remembered.

Memorial gifts may be made to Penderlea Pentecostal Holiness Church, 8348 Penderlea Hwy, Watha, NC 28478 or Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation, 1414 Physicians Dr., Wilmington, NC 28401.

Willie leaves behind a host of friends and family that loved him. Willie always put the Lord first in his life and always gave God the glory for everything.

Condolences and shared memories may be sent to the family by selecting "Memory Wall" above.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 16, 2012 at Coraâ