Lawrence "Larry" E. Knight, 97, of Washington, passed away at 1:49pm Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the Villas of Hollybrook in Washington. Larry was born September 7, 1920 in Danville, IL to Ira C. and Zola Whitehurst Knight. He married Dorothy Stake on January 1, 1942; she preceded him in death. Surviving is his son, Jack (Susan) Knight of Washington; grandson, J.D. (Alison) Knight of Morton; three great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Cooper and Olivia; and brothers, Jim and Ira Knight. He was also preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Harold, Bob and Victor Knight and Delores Quinn and Betty Lou Erwin; brother in law Lawrence Stake, and sister in law Doris Knight. Larry graduated from Danville High School in 1938. He began his career at Caterpillar on February 1, 1939, graduating from their training program in 1943. He retired from the Scheduling Department after 43 years of service on April 1, 1982 as a Processor in Customizing and Proof Design. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy on the destroyer U.S.S. Yarnall (DD-541) in the Pacific Theater and was present when the Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed on September 2, 1945 in Tokyo Bay. Larry was a part of the first Greater Peoria Honor Flight in June 2013 as well. He was a 50 year member of the Hilton Lodge #1143 A.F. & A.M., Peoria Consistory, Mohammed Shrine, American Legion Post 1234 in Creve Coeur, as well as the Caterpillar Retirees Club and Local #974 Retirees Club. Cremation rites have been accorded. Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family. Larrys family would like to thank The Villas of Holly Brook, Spoon River Home Health, and Comfort Plus Hospice for the care they provided. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mohammed Shrine Hospital Van Fund, 4201 Industry Dr., Bartonville, IL 61607.