Obituary of Bill King

Elmer "Bill" William King Bill King was born January 3, 1928 in Mt. Morris, Illinois. He graduated from Eastern High School, Lansing, Michigan in 1946. He married Norma Jean Ames in Lansing, Michigan on February 8th, 1948. They were married for 43 years. He was an auto mechanic who practiced his trade in Michigan, Arizona, California and Washington. He was Commander of the Alamitos United States Power Squadron (USPS), Alamitos, California, Commander of District 13 of the USPS of Los Angeles, California, and the Commodore of the Hollywood Yacht Club of San Pedro, California. He also volunteered his time as a math tutor to 3rd and 4th graders at Peter G. Schmidt Elementary School in Tumwater, Washington. These words are not the measure of the man. He led an adventurous life and traveled across the country several times. He enjoyed motor boating on the Pacific Ocean and cruised to Mexico a few times. In August of 1962 Bill, Jean and their four kids and big black lab, Duke, packed into their 1955 Dodge and drove from Michigan to Arizona camping alongside the road. They lived in Phoenix for two years. The second year, Bill worked in California and drove back and forth on the weekends. The family then moved to California in 1964. Bill's greatest pleasure was his children and grandchildren. His greatest pain was holding his dying daughter, Patti, in his arms until breast cancer stole her last breath. Bill is survived by his three children; Linda (Gary) Palmer of Owosso, Michigan, Deborah Moore of Columbus, Ohio, Thomas King of Wildomar, California, six grandchildren; Char Palmer of Saginaw, Michigan, Chad (Shannon) Palmer both of Owosso, Michigan, Robert (fiancé Jenny Ritterbeck) Hartfield of Galloway, Ohio, William (Michelle) Chapman of Tualatin, Oregon, Taryn (Chris) Reaves of Mobile, Alabama, and Ryan King of Wildomar, California; great-grandchildren Devin, Caitlin and Corbin Palmer of Owosso, Michigan, Riehlee Hartfield of Gallaway, Ohio, Brian, William and Devin Chapman of Tualatin, Oregon; sister-in-law Connie (Cy) Sullivan of Holt, Michigan, his cousins and many nieces and nephews. Bill is also survived by his loving companion of 16 years, Peggy Clemens of Tumwater, Washington, and her daughter Julie Purdy (Terry Schleuter) of Cypress, California. Bill was predeceased by his parents, O. Alvin and Mary (Slagle) King, former wife and mother of his children, Norma Jean King, daughter Patti Ann King, sisters Ellen Scott and her husband, Alvin; Dolores Saxman; Karen Zacharda and her husband Gene, and brother Douglas Ferris: sister-in-law Melba Winsett and her husband Jim; his step mother, Vida King and step fathers, Carl Ferris and Donald Hemenway. To leave a condolence, please click on View Guestbook below.