William Douglas King

1939 - 2023

William Douglas King
January 18, 1939 - July 18, 2023
Columbia, South Carolina - William Douglas (Doug) King, 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 18, 2023, after a long bout with cancer. He had a full life filled with faith, family and accomplishments.
King was born on January 18, 1939, in McColl, SC, the son of the late Douglas Burt King and Gladys Seago King. From an early age, King was attracted to sports as both a participant and a fan. He played on the high school golf team and later on the varsity golf team at Wake Forest University where he graduated in 1961.
Following graduation, King served in the United States Army at Fort Gordon and he married his high school sweetheart Alice Manning Finch who survives him after 61 years of marriage.
Although King contemplated trying for a professional golf career, he decided instead on a career in financial services and joined First National Bank of SC rising to executive vice president and serving on the executive management committee and the Board of Directors. In 1984 First National merged with South Carolina National Bank. King maintained his competitive spirit in the banking world just as he had in golf and led SCN's growth in the new products and market share.
In 1991, South Carolina National Bank was acquired by Wachovia. At the time of the merger King was president of SCN and following the merger, he was Executive Vice President in charge of the Consumer Services Division. He retired from Wachovia in 1996. During his many years as a banker and his many accomplishments and innovations, King was most proud of developing people and seeing them succeed.
Professionally, he served on the board of Visa USA, US Consumer Banking Association, National Automated Clearing House Association and as president of the National Automated Clearinghouse Association. Additionally, he served as second vice president of the SC Bankers Association and taught American Institute of Banking courses.
Following his retirement, King returned to his love of golf. He worked diligently and participated in many senior tournaments in North and South Carolina.
As banking began to take up too much of his time and energy, King turned to tennis and renewed his love for the piano. Again his competitive nature was apparent as he gave a yearly recital to prove to himself that he could memorize an hour's worth of music and perform it before friends and family. Doug and Alice enjoyed many years with grandchildren at Litchfield Beach, including the incredible sunsets.
King is a member of First Presbyterian Church and was a former deacon at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Columbia.
He was a man of faith who loved his family dearly and was quick to tell you about their accomplishments. In additional to his wife, King is survived by three children: William Douglas King, Jr. (Shelley and her two children-Bradley and Tripp) of Charlotte, NC, Robert Christopher King (Tippi) of Columbia and Lauren King Wood (Chad) of Asheville, NC, nine grandchildren (William, Mary Hudson, Charlie, Robert, McLain, Manning, Elizabeth, Alice and Caroline), a brother Donald Burchell King Jr. (Kathryn) of Bennettsville, SC, and many nieces and nephews, sister in law, Ruth Finch, brother in law Ralph Finch (Mary), great grand daughter, Ella Rose.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Missions Fund or Organ Fund, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201, or to the Mayo Clinic Research Fund, 200 First St. SW Rochester, MN 55905.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 23, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with visitation in Jackson Hall following the service.
Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.