Rev. (Roy) David McKnight, age 79, of Hamden, passed away Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Pataskala Oaks Care Center.  He was born June 5, 1945 in McArthur, Ohio, son of the late Roy Edward McKnight and Clara Regenia Bartoe McKnight.  David graduated from Hamden High School with the class of 1963.  He was a very proud veteran of the United States Air Force and was honored by receiving national recognition for his marksmanship ability.  David was an ordained minister who in years past faithfully served several churches including Puritan Free Will Baptist Church and Gahanna Free Will Baptist Church.  In his retirement years he continued to support many pastors and churches.  David was a man of God who loved his Lord and Savior, along with his family, and always tried to leave everyone around him better.  He had a love for The Ohio State Buckeyes and was the biggest cheerleader for family and church sporting events.  David is survived by wife, Mae McKnight; children, Tim McKnight (Annette), Deanna Blythe (Jeremy), Lori Byers, and Gina Parks; sisters, Carol Salmons, Kay Navratil (Zdenek), and Jane Womack (Frazell); brother, Bob McKnight (Pam), as well as 18 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.  Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 37 years, Viola "Tootsie" McKnight.  Calling hours will be Monday, December 23rd, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Gahanna Free Will Baptist Church, 3868 N. Stygler Rd., Columbus, Oh. 43230.  Funeral service will be Tuesday, December 24th, at 10 a.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellston with Pastor Keith Perkins and Pastor Mark Rood officiating.  Burial, with military honors, will follow in the Elk Cemetery in McArthur.  In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions in David's memory be given to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.com or P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675.  Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.mcwilliams-funeralhome.com.