Richard Wayne King

Richard Wayne King was born on June 10, 1942 to Charlie and Kate (Miles) King in Tekamah, Nebraska. He died on Christmas Day 2025 on Hilton Head Island, SC.

Dick grew up with his parents and older brother "Pug" in the small farm town of Tekamah, and graduated high school with a tight knit group of 48 classmates in 1960.

Then he was off to Nebraska's Wayne State College, where he graduated in 1963 with a BA in Business Administration. Eager to serve his country, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. He served with distinction as a Captain until December 31, 1967. He continued in Civil Service at WPAFB for another 25 years. His illustrious career involved demanding Program Management and Foreign Military Sales (F-16 and F-5 aircraft) positions in SCAD and SACMPC at the Aeronautical Systems Division.

During this period he earned his MBA from Ohio's Wright State University in 1971, married Vicki Bissett in 1972 and raised three wonderful children: Cheryl (1975), Nathan (1978) and Trisha (1982) in Bellbrook, OH. They were the pride of his life!

After retiring from WPAFB in March 1993, he focused his talents on the growth and development of wife Vicki's thriving Alphabet Embroidery Studios. Additionally, he somehow found time to utilize his construction skills on extensively renovating a hundred+ year old historic farmhouse in Miami County, OH.

Also, during his "retirement years", he became actively involved in local government: serving on zoning boards, land development committees, referendums for sensible controlled development, etc. He was elected to two terms as Sugarcreek Township Trustee, an action-packed position where his impacts are still appreciated today.

Finally in 2018, he and Vicki relocated to HHI to enjoy time in the warmth and slower pace of living. He could then spend quality time traveling and visiting with his three adorable grandchildren and families. He was enthusiastic in supporting environmental causes (especially sea turtles), property management and reconnecting with his old high school classmates.

With the assistance of Island Funeral Home and Crematory, his wishes were honored to be cremated and proudly buried in the Beaufort National Cemetery under a remarkably stunning live oak tree.