Bill Lawrence Bennett, 72

Bill Lawrence Bennett, 72, local musician, AKA “Billy Knight,” passed away on Friday, March 1, 2019, in Sandpoint, Idaho. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Sandpoint Eagles Lodge.

Billy was born on September 12, 1946, in Sandpoint, Idaho to Bud and Ella (Kedish) Bennett LaPrath. Billy’s dad taught him how to play the guitar at an early age. During high school, Charlie Stidwell would hire his band the Mountain Boys to play at dances.

Billy graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1965. While in the Navy, stationed in Long Beach, California, he played at the Hollywood on the Pike and assumed the stage name Billy Knight, after his stage daddy, Bob Knight. When he returned to North Idaho he played at the Slab Inn in Post Falls, Bert’s Place, and in the past few years at the Eagles Lodge and Tam O’Shan-ter.

In addition to playing music and writing songs, Billy drove school bus for years. He enjoyed fishing and painting. He painted the mural on the Bonners Ferry Bowling Alley and the sign at Bert’s Place.

He is survived by his brother, Jack (Jodi) Bennett of Post Falls; and sister, Bernice (Art) Webb of Sandpoint. He is also survived by several children.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Irene Breeden Bennett; sisters, Rose Marie Spencer and Barbara Valencia; and brother, Danny Falcone.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Billy’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.