Billie Gene Knight Jr.

Billie “B.G.” Gene Knight Jr., 77, of Francisco, Indiana, passed away on March 11, 2026. He was born on April 25, 1948, in Princeton, Indiana, to Billie Gene Knight Sr. and Cleda (Wells) Knight.

B.G. married Rose (Hedges) Knight on January 7, 2006. That same year he retired from Amax Coal after 37 years of service as a coal miner. A longtime member of Bethabra Baptist Church, he found joy in watching NASCAR races, tending to his tractor, hunting deer, fishing, and collecting Corvette memorabilia. In earlier years he also enjoyed scuba diving. Those who knew him will remember his witty sense of humor and his warm, infectious personality that drew so many people to him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his stepson, Brian Hedges.

B.G. is survived by his wife of 20 years, Rose Knight; son, Billie Gene Knight III (Rhonda); the mother of his son, Ruth Ann Stuessel; grandchildren, Julie Vasquez (Stephen), Jennifer Thorne, Jackie Brewer (Josh), James Thorne Jr., Bryon Hedges, and Tasha Hedges; great-grandchildren, Cody Brewer, Lilly Reibeling, Evan Reibeling, Cruz Holland, Mya Holland, Myles Vasquez, Madison Brewer, Landon Brewer, Kadyn Whittler, Kevin Ruff, Colton Brewer, Lyla Thorne, Cheyenne Pieper, Tasia Pieper, Riley Pieper, and Dexter McNeeley; and great-great-grandchild, Edynn.