William Craig Knorr (Bill), 93, passed away early in the morning of November 12th, 2025, at Mid Valley Hospital in Omak.

Bill was born in his maternal grandmother's house in Breckenridge, CO. on December 4th, 1931, to Ted & Greta Knorr. He grew up on the banks of the Blue River, walking (or skating when he could get away with it) to school at Slate Creek and later attending High School in Kremmling, CO. He got his Bachelor's Degree in agriculture from Colorado A&M, with an ROTC Scholarship. He fulfilled his service in the Air Force as a pilot and navigator in Florida and Texas. During college, he met the love of his life, and his wife of 71 (and a half) years, Gail Franzman, who eventually became Gail Knorr.

After they left the Air Force, Bill and Gail moved back to work for his uncles on the Knorr Brothers Ranch in Colorado. He also had a 6-lane bowling alley in Kremmling. He would stay up half the night at the bowling alley, then be up at 8 to work on the ranch. He also started his own flock of purebred Suffolk sheep during this time.

In 1974 Bill & Gail partnered with Gail's cousin to start a new ranch, and found a place they liked in Loomis, WA. They ranched there for 19 years, raising cattle and growing his prizewinning flock of sheep. During this time Bill served for 9 years on the board of the American Suffolk Association. After selling the ranch, they moved to Belvedere, near Grand Coulee, where Bill worked for the town of Coulee Dam, and worked with his sheep at home.

Bill retired around 2007 and sold his flock, except for 2 lambs which he gave to his daughter and granddaughter, and whose descendants are still in Holly's flock today. They moved to Tonasket to be closer to family, and have been there ever since.

Bill loved sports. He almost made the college Basketball team at Colorado A&M. The Track Coach tried to recruit him for his speed but he always said "anyone can run" so he preferred basketball. He continued to bowl his whole life. His goal was to still be bowling at 80, which he well surpassed, as he still played a few games on the senior league last spring. He made nationals multiple times, both in the adult and senior leagues. He was an avid hunter and fisher, returning to Colorado for elk hunts, and spending many days on rivers and lakes looking for fish.

Bill is survived by his Wife, Eleanor Gail Knorr, his daughter Holly (Jim) Barnes, and granddaughter LeighAnne Barnes, and sister-in-law Barbra Franzman of Phoenix Arizona. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Gordon (Alice) Knorr, brother-in-law Seth Franzman, son Kerry Wm. Knorr, and daughter Janet Anne Knorr.

A memorial will be held on December 6th at 11AM, with a meal to follow at Loomis Community Church, and we plan to livestream on Facebook for those who are unable to attend. Memorials can be made to the Loomis Community Church, The United Suffolk Association, or the organization of your choice.