William "Billy" Knipper

William Leonard (Billy) Knipper, 57, passed away January 12, 2018 at Select Specialty Hospital in Akron after a lengthy hospital stay and diabetes complications.

He was born November 22, 1960 in Detroit, Michigan to William F Knipper and Shirleyann (Feher) Giesy.

Billy was a 1979 graduate of Jefferson High School. During his high school years he developed a love of horses and harness racing while working as a groom at the Ashtabula Co. Fair grounds. Billy was a talented carpenter but his beloved horses called him back to fulfill his lifetime career as a trainer.  He traveled the harness horse racing circuit but made his home at Northfield Park as trainer/owner of Billy Knipper Stables.

Billy was preceded in death by his father, William Knipper. His maternal grandparents, William and Irene Feher and his paternal grandparents, Cyril and Frances Knipper.

He is survived by his mother, Shirley (Donald) Giesy of Cortland.  Brother Brian (Sandy) Knipper of Roaming Shores. Sister Margie (Jeff) Tokarsky of Canton. Aunts, Uncles, nephews, great nephew, cousins and step-siblings.

A memorial service officiated by Rev. Carl Kish will be held at the Paine Funeral Home, Inc., 140 E. Main St., Orwell, OH 44076 on Friday, January 26th at 12:00 pm, visitation will take place prior to the service at the funeral home from 11:00 to 11:45am. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Northeast Ohio (JDFR) or Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, NY. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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