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Des Moines Mourns Legendary Weather Anchor Bill Knapp

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  Published in Humor and Quirks on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 21:12 GMT by KCCI Des Moines

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Bill Knapp: A Des Moines Legacy Remembered in a Moving Funeral

The city of Des Moines bid farewell to a beloved community icon, Bill Knapp, whose sudden passing last week left a quiet that stretched from the downtown cafés to the quiet corners of the city’s historic neighborhoods. The funeral, held on Saturday evening at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on North First Street, drew a crowd of nearly 300 mourners, all of whom joined in a chorus of remembrance that echoed the many lives Bill had touched throughout his 72‑year life.

A Life Rooted in Des Moines

Bill Knapp was born in 1951 to parents who had immigrated from Iowa’s heartland. He grew up in the modest brick house at 312 W. Highway, the same house where his parents opened the first coffee shop in the area when he was a teenager. “He was a true local," recalled his eldest daughter, Karen Knapp, a teacher in the Des Moines Community School District. “Everyone knew him by the time he was six.”

After graduating from Des Moines High School, Bill attended Iowa State University where he studied communications and later earned a degree in journalism. It was during those formative years that he developed a passion for storytelling that would become the backbone of his career in broadcast journalism. He started as a news assistant at KCCI, the city’s flagship CBS affiliate, before rising to prominence as the station’s weather anchor in the late 1980s. His calm, authoritative voice and meticulous attention to detail made him a staple of morning routines for decades.

Career Highlights

The article’s “Career Highlights” link led to a feature on KCCI’s website that chronicled Bill’s 30‑year tenure at the station. He was known for his “Good Morning Des Moines” show, a segment that combined weather forecasts with local community news, interviews with city officials, and occasional segments on local history. He was a frequent guest on the “MVP: My Volunteer Project” segment, where he highlighted local nonprofits and encouraged viewers to get involved.

In 2005, the city honored him with a “Lifetime Achievement in Journalism” award. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Des Moines Public Library’s “Kids Read” program, which started in 2010 and still boasts a circulation of over 15,000 books each year. The program’s link in the article showed a photo of a young child with a book in hand, captioned “Thanks to Bill’s initiative, reading is now part of every child’s daily routine.”

The Funeral and Community Tributes

The funeral service itself was a fitting tribute to Bill’s character. Reverend Lisa Henderson of St. Joseph’s opened with a reading from the Book of Psalms, followed by a moment of silence that seemed to fill the entire sanctuary. The service was interspersed with music selections that were close to Bill’s heart, including his favorite hymns and the iconic Iowa State University fight song.

The article highlighted the speeches given by several prominent figures. Mayor Marjorie Wilke spoke at the front of the pews, her voice resonant with respect. “Bill was more than a face on television,” she said. “He was a neighbor, a mentor, and a friend to so many of us. He always had time for a conversation, a joke, or a listening ear. We are all better for knowing him.” She then recited a poem he had written, a tender reminder of his poetic side that many only discovered after his death.

Former KCCI colleagues, including former meteorologist Jim McPherson, stepped forward. “I remember Bill as the first one in the studio every morning, coffee in hand, ready to deliver the news with dignity,” said McPherson. “He would also bring a pot of his famous coffee to the break room and ask if anyone needed an extra dose of caffeine or a comforting word. Bill’s professionalism was matched only by his humility.”

The family also shared personal stories. Mrs. Susan Knapp, Bill’s wife of 48 years, brought the room to tears as she spoke of their shared life, from their honeymoon in the Adirondacks to the quiet nights watching his children grow into adults. She also spoke about Bill’s love for community service, especially his years volunteering at the Des Moines Food Bank, an effort that was detailed in a separate link to the Food Bank’s website. The link showed a photo of Bill handing out food to a family, captioned “Bill Knapp, Volunteering for a Better Tomorrow.”

A notable portion of the tributes came from local schoolchildren, whose class at Roosevelt Elementary had been part of a special project led by Bill. “He taught us how to be kind to others and how to read the news critically,” said a 10‑year‑old student. “We’ll never forget his smile and how he always made us feel safe.”

City’s Response and Continuing Legacy

The city of Des Moines declared a day of mourning, and the Des Moines Police Department placed a wreath on the front of the police headquarters. The city council also announced plans to rename a portion of the downtown “Bill Knapp Way,” a tribute that was confirmed by a link to the council’s minutes.

An additional link in the article led to a page on the Des Moines Public Library’s website, where a new “Bill Knapp Community Media Room” had been established. The room features Bill’s own collection of early news broadcasts and a collection of his handwritten notes. It’s intended as a learning center for aspiring journalists, a living legacy of his lifelong commitment to media education.

In the final paragraph, the article captured the essence of Bill’s impact with a quote from a longtime friend, “He was the quiet, steadfast hand that guided us, the one who always knew the right thing to say. We’ll miss him dearly, but his spirit will live on in the countless lives he touched.”

A Life Remembered, A Legacy Enduring

Bill Knapp’s funeral was more than a ritual; it was a testament to the profound effect one individual can have on a community. As the article closes, it reminds readers that while the city of Des Moines has lost a beloved citizen, the threads he left woven into the city’s cultural, educational, and civic fabric will continue to guide future generations. His legacy—one of humility, service, and steadfast dedication—remains a guiding light for all who were fortunate enough to know him.