Billy J King

1934 - 2025

Billy J. King, 90, left this life to be with his Lord on January 27, 2025. He was born in Bristol, VA on July 21, 1934 and joined the Air Force in 1955 after graduating high school. During his service, Bill was trained as an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) and achieved the rank of A1C. He was stationed in post war South Korea and after four years of service received an honorable discharge. Upon leaving the Air Force, Bill went to Oklahoma City to train as a civilian ATC. His first assignment after civilian training was at the Memphis ATC Center. After arriving in Memphis, Bill met Margaret Ann Vines and they married in 1962. In 1963, they welcomed twin boys. A few years later Bill and Margaret welcomed a third son. Bill worked at the Memphis ATC Center throughout his career and retired in 1987. He loved to read, and the library was one of his favorite places to visit. He often spent hours there and left with a large stack of books each time. He also enjoyed golf in his younger years. Bill was a loving and devoted husband and father who faithfully provided for his family. He loved God and had accepted Jesus as his Savior. His faith shaped his character and love for his family and others. Bill and Margaret were long time members of Labelle Place Baptist Church and Peterson Lake Baptist Church. He will be deeply missed, but we rejoice in the fact that he is being rewarded in Heaven for his love and devotion on earth. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Margaret Ann (Vines) King and his parents William King and Emma Mae (Leonard) King, his brother Dallas King, and his sister Helen Kilgore. He is survived by three sons William (Bill) King, Larry King and his wife Debra, James King and his wife Kari. He also leaves behind five grandchildren Aubrey Wylie, Drew Hale, Ben Hale, Luke King, and Drew King as well as nine great grandchildren Layla, Jackson, Caroline, Katherine, Charlotte, Lillian, Lincoln, Max and Vivian. In addition, he leaves behind his brother Allen King and sister Betty (Queeny) Willis as well as many nieces and nephews. Bill will have a family gathering at the West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery chapel at 2:30 pm on Thursday, February 6th prior to his burial.