William L. King

William Lane King, aged 88, of Eagleville, TN, passed away peacefully at Alive Hospice on Thursday, January 23, 2025. He was born May 11, 1936 in the Longview community of Bedford County, TN. He was the son of the late Thomas Avery King and Zilpha Lane King. He was a member of Triune Baptist Church.

William was married for 65 years to the late Bithie Sue Taylor King. He is survived by his children, LaNae Turner of Eagleville, TN, Dwight (Julie) King of Eagleville, TN, and Tabitha (Tim) Persch of Larkspur, CO. He is beloved “Grandpa” to his six grandchildren, Zach and Braiden King, Campbell and Mitchell Turner, and Rafe and Avery Persch. He is survived by brother Burtis (Vicki) King and is beloved “Uncle Bill” to nephews, Jonathan King, Mike (Jeanna) Loyd, Mendy Loyd and numerous fishing and hunting buddies.

In addition to his parents and wife, he is preceded in death by brothers John Rufus King, Thomas Avery King Jr., James Harlan King and Robert David King.

After the loss of his mother at an early age, he earned money by picking cotton and doing farm labor. He eventually left school in ninth grade because of the need to help provide for his family. He joined the military, met his future wife, Bithie Sue, on a blind date while he was home on leave. After a short courtship, they spent 65 years together raising a family and living in the Eagleville community. He earned his GED and worked as a machinist by trade, spending 32 years at AEDC in Tullahoma, retiring in 1998.

William loved local history and genealogy and had an exceptional recall for details relating to dates and family history. He could remember dates and occurrences in his life and the life of others and the weather of the day with exceptional detail. His interest drove him to relocate and restore the cabin where he was born to the site of his present home. He loved reminiscing and visiting with friends and family about days gone by. He never met a stranger…or someone he couldn’t claim kin with. He was also an avid coon hunter and fisherman and enjoyed raising cattle for many years. He served his family steadfastly his entire life.

Visitation with the family will be on Sunday, January 26, 2025 from 4 pm to 8 pm at Lawrence Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be at 10 am on Monday, January 27,2025 from the Chapel of Lawrence Funeral Home with Dr. Jeffery Elliott officiating. Interment will follow at the Bennett Cemetery in Eagleville, TN.

William’s grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Vaden and his wife Nelia and members of the Seekers Sunday School Class.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Alive Hospice and Triune Baptist Church.

LAWRENCE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATION SERVICES, 203 South Horton Pkwy, Chapel Hill, TN, 931-364-2233 in charge of local arrangements. (www.lawrencefuneral.net).