Wilma Ann Knight

Wilma Knight ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Einan's at Hillcrest - Kennewick on Mar. 3, 2026.Wilma Ann Knight, a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, and dedicated elementary school teacher, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2026 in Kennewick, Washington.Wilma was born on August 7, 1935, in West Van Lear, Kentucky, to Myrtle Belle Cyrus Trolard and Paul Trolard. She was the youngest daughter and the twin sister of Wanda Faye (Trolard) Levien. She often playfully claimed Louisville, KY, as her birthplace to avoid appearing to be from a small town. She was one of six children, including her older siblings: Paul Trolard, Margaret (Trolard) Shaw, Norma Jean (Trolard) Ellings, and Norman Thomas (Tom) Trolard.Her family's journey took them from East St. Louis, Illinois, where her father worked in a coal delivery business, to Vanport, Oregon, during the war, where her mother worked as a welder. They later settled in Coos Bay, Oregon, where her father found work as a longshoreman, fortunately moving before the devastating flood in Vanport.Wilma and her twin sister Wanda were proud cheerleaders at Marshfield High School, where Wilma graduated in 1953. She then enrolled at Oregon State University, where she met the love of her life, James Tillman (Jim) Knight. They were married in June of 1956, beginning a remarkable 69-year partnership. Wilma graduated in 1957 with a degree in Elementary Education and welcomed her first child, Valynn, in the fall of that same year.Throughout their marriage, Wilma and Jim created homes in numerous communities across the Pacific Northwest, including Kent, Seattle, Longview, Richland, Pasco, Kennewick, Port Ludlow, and Lacey, Washington, as well as Corvallis, Athena, and Ontario, Oregon. Wilma spent her professional life as an elementary school teacher, educating children in Seattle, Kennewick, and Ontario, Oregon.Wilma is survived by her devoted husband, Jim Knight, and her sister, Norma Jean (Trolard) Ellings. Her legacy lives on through her four children: Valynn (Lee) Boy, Patrick (Debbie) Knight, David (Anna) Knight, and James T. Knight Jr. She was a deeply loved "Grandma" to 14 grandchildren-Nathan Boy & Jessica Gannon, David Boy & Juliana Bernalostos-Boy, Jacob Boy & Nicolette Grasley-Boy, Rachel Boy & Jay Ricciardi, Steven Knight, Daniel Knight, Connor Knight, William Knight, Kenneth Knight, Tesla Knight, Myra Knight, Meredith Knight, Hannah Knight, and Nico Knight-and 11 great-grandchildren: Adella, Eliza, Iris, Aurelia, Everett, Marcela, Elijah, Zayden, Israela, Luka, and Murphy.She will be remembered for her enduring commitment to her family, her adventurous spirit, and her dedication to education.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.