William Courtney King Jr.

Civic Leader and long-time Roanoke Attorney William Courtney King Jr., died peacefully at his home in South Roanoke, Va., on Sunday, December 14, 2008, two days after celebrating his 85th birthday. Mr. King was born on December 12, 1923, to William Courtney King Sr., of Roanoke, and Grace Stevens King, of Salem. Mr. King was born in Gainesville, Fla., where his father attended law school at the University of Florida. After several years in Florida, the family returned to Roanoke.
Mr. King was a graduate of Washington and Lee University (J.D.), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (M.A.) and Roanoke College (B.A.).
He served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. After working in publishing in New York City, Mr. King practiced law in the City of Roanoke with his father and other colleagues for approximately 40 years.
Mr. King was a past President of the Roanoke Bar Association; a Commissioner on the Board of the Redevelopment and Housing Authority and a member of the Roanoke City Library Board.
He also was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, where he served frequently as an usher; a long-time member of the Advisory Board of the City of Roanoke Salvation Army; and the Shenandoah Club.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Jean Vaughan Gill King; and is survived by his son, William Courtney King III;, daughter-in-law, Carol Weld King; and grandson, Blake Spencer King, of Arlington, Va.; his son, Roger Gill King, of Roanoke; his sister, Muriel Trinkle, of Roanoke; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2008, from Saint John's Episcopal Church with the Reverend Barkley Thompson officiating. Interment will be private. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2008, at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Roanoke Chapter of the Salvation Army, 724 Dale Ave. S.E. Roanoke, Va. 24013.