J. Knox Pannill, Jr

J. Knox Pannill, Jr., 86 of Billings, died on February 1, 2010, at Hansen Cottage on the campus of St. John's Lutheran Ministries. Knox was born on July 12, 1923 in Roanoke, VA, the son of J. Knox and Virgie Vaughn Pannill.

Knox graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering. Following his graduation, he became employed by Tennessee Eastman in Kingsport, TN. His entire working career was spent with Tennessee Eastman, retiring in 1986.

Knox's first wife and the mother of their children, Pan C. Cornett, died in 1964. Knox met his daughter's third grade teacher, Jane Bush, and they were married in 1966. Following Knox's retirement, he and Jane spent time traveling and fell in love with the West. They later moved to Cody, WY full time in 1994, and finally to Billings, MT. While in Cody, Knox was a Docent for the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, a volunteer activity he truly enjoyed. His volunteerism continued with the move to Billings, where he gave his time to St. Vincent Healthcare. While living in Billings, Knox and Jane were members of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.

Knox leaves behind his wife Jane Pannill of Billings; children, J. Knox Sarah Pannill III of Atlanta, GA, Susan P. Earl Wilkins of Beaverdam, VA; Kenneth S. Hoyle and Steven Danielson of Gaithersburg, MD; grandchildren, Ashley M. Wilkins, Lauren W. Jonathan Axselle, V. Ruth Pannill, Eliza R. Pannill, and Annalaura K. Pannill.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial Services were held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, February 4, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. Knox's cremated remains will be interred at Oak Hill Memorial Park in Kingsport, TN at 11 am on March 24, 2010.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to RiverStone Hospice, P.O. Box 1562, Billings, MT 59103 or St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 1241 Crawford Dr., Billings, MT 59102.