William Clark Knowles

William Clark Knowles, of Rantoul, IL passed away on December 13, 2025, in
Champaign, Illinois. Bill was the oldest of four sons born to Lucille (Rohlin) and
H. Clark Knowles, Jr. He was born in Chicago and raised in Des Plaines, IL where
he graduated from Maine West High School in 1971. Bill received his Bachelor’s
Degree from the University of Illinois and a Master’s Degree in Biology from the
University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
Before embarking on his career in wildlife biology, Bill served two years in the
Peace Corps in Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) and taught at Francis Parker
School in Chicago. Bill then worked for the departments of Fish and Wildlife in
American Samoa, St. Croix, VI and Yuma, Arizona. He retired in 2019 and moved
to Rantoul, IL in 2021.
Bill was avid Chicago and Illini sports fan.
Bill is survived by his three brothers, John of Des Plaines, Robert (Kathy) of
Chicago and Donald (Mary) of Moline, IL; three nieces, Kelsey (Tim) Davidson of
Chicago, Kara Knowles of Chicago and Kendall Knowles of Moline; two nephews,
Mark Knowles of Chicago and Nathan (K-Rae) Knowles of Oregon, IL. He is also
survived by a great nephew, Callan Knowles and a great niece, Juniper Davidson.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

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