William W. Knight (publisher)
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The Oregon Journal
William W. Knight | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 8, 1909 |
| Died | February 19, 1981 (aged 72) Portland, Oregon, US |
| Alma mater | University of Oregon |
| Occupations | Lawyer; publisher of The Oregon Journal |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Lota Hatfield |
| Children | 3, including Phil Knight |
| Relatives | Travis Knight (grandson) |
William Wesley Knight (February 8, 1909 – February 19, 1981) was an American lawyer, politician, and newspaper publisher. He lived, worked in, and raised a family with his wife, Lota Hatfield Knight, in Portland, Oregon. Their son, Phil Knight, a high school and college athlete, went on to co-found Nike.
Commonly known as Bill, Knight was born on February 8, 1909, in Winnebago, Minnesota, to Fred A. Knight and Edith M. Knight, but grew up in Roseburg, Oregon.[1]
Knight received his law degree from the University of Oregon School of Law in 1932.[2]
In 1935, he was elected as a Republican to the Oregon House of Representatives from Douglas County, Oregon; Knight was 26. He served one term. "He also served as a Douglas County deputy district attorney under Guy Cordon, who later was a U.S. Senator."[2][3] In 1939, Knight and his family moved to Portland, where he became "legal counsel for the Industrial Relations Association of Oregon."[2]
Knight's 18-year tenure as publisher of The Oregon Journal began in February 1953,[4] with the sudden death of then-publisher Philip L. Jackson from a heart-attack.[5] Along with the newspaper came responsibility for managing the company's radio stations, including KPOJ AM & FM.[6]
In 1959, the Journal and Portland's other newspaper, The Oregonian, were struck by a labor dispute over working conditions. The strike continued for several years, with US Senator Wayne Morse calling for mediation.[7]
Knight retired in December 1971, at age 62.[2]