World War II Veteran Celebrates 102nd Birthday at The Claiborne at Shoe Creek

Mr. Willie Davis Knippers is our friend and our HERO! Willie Davis Knippers was born on June 15, 1923, in a tiny town Progress, MS in Pike County. He grew up as the second of seven children, guided by his parents’ values of hard work, respect for others, and a dedication to faith.

Mr. Willie has been a member of Bluff Springs Baptist Church since he was a baby and is still a member of the congregation. Surely, he is the oldest living member. 

His family said they asked him what he wanted for his birthday, and he said to go to church at Bluff Springs. They will be coming this Sunday to bring him to services. 

He said he still knows people there who were young when he was young, and now they are old, but all the oldest ones have passed away.

He said that they did not have electricity in Progress until a co-op was formed in 1944. He left for the Army with no electricity and returned home to find it had been installed. He worked on the family farm with his dad and siblings, where they operated a dairy and planted various crops.

He graduated from high school in 1943 and was later drafted into the military. He traveled to a small town outside Abilene, where he joined other men stationed at Camp Barkeley. 

This base was a large U.S. Army training installation during World War II, located 11 miles southwest of Abilene. 

Camp Barkeley covered 70,229 acres and had a peak population of 50,000.  On February 1, 1944, the 1846th Unit POW Camp was activated at Camp Barkeley. At its peak in March 1945, the camp housed 840 German prisoners, and it was not uncommon to see a few escapees sleeping in the bandstand in Abilene’s central park. Camp Barkeley was officially closed in September 1945 and dismantled, with the land reverting to its original owners.

After basic training, Mr. Willie, along with his army buddies, was sent to California.  Upon arriving in California, they moved on to the Pacific Islands, spending a year in Hawaii and island-hopping throughout the Pacific during the war. 

He was trained in the medical corps, where he tended to sick and injured soldiers. Most patients suffered from ulcers due to poor conditions and bad food.

His duties included administering morphine upon their arrival, stopping bleeding, and preparing patients for surgery. Once stable enough to travel, he would send them to Guam, a hospital he had helped set up, or return them to the United States. 

After serving for three years, he returned home as a Sergeant and resumed working on the farm with his dad. Later, he secured a job working alongside Mr. Bill Simon, a local businessman who owned Simple Simon Tire. It is now one of the oldest and best-established car care centers in Baton Rouge. 

At the urging of Mr. Simon, he accepted a position with Tom Peanut Company. He met a gentleman who owned a novelty and firecracker business and was offered a salesman position. He traveled across seven states selling to retailers and eventually helped the gentleman sell his business. 

His last job was with Enterprise Rental Car, where he handled the drop-off and pick-up of cars for 19 years before retiring at age 95. He followed his father’s advice about being a hard worker.

He has never been married or had children, but he dated a lot and always treated the ladies with respect, he said. He had a long-term relationship with a young lady from Progress, but she eventually married someone else.

Later, he moved in with his sister Edna and her children, becoming a father figure to them after she lost her husband. His nephews adored him and wanted to be with their favorite uncle. He had five nephews and one niece, who was particularly special to him, as her cousins would attest. 

One day, his favorite niece took him for a ride, telling him they were going to Walmart. She brought him to The Claiborne at Shoe Creek for a tour. Although he was not ready to move in at that time, a few months later, he decided it was time to join the community. Everyone who knows Mr. Willie loves and respects him. It is his mission to walk around the community daily.

His motto in life is to live well, work hard, and treat others with respect. He has faith in the Lord, and he knows that when his time comes, he will meet his Savior.

All the staff members and residents thank Mr. Willie for his service!

Thank you for being a valued friend to us here at The Claiborne at Shoe Creek and for allowing us to serve you.