Video Tribute

William D. King    William D. King, long-time resident of Mexico, Mo., passed away peacefully Saturday, March 21, 2009, at Hospice of Louisville, Ky., with his loving family at his side. He was born in Marshall on July 2, 1923, and grew up there, where his family had lived for five generations. He graduated from Marshall High School, and later from Missouri Valley College. He was preceded in death by his first wife Rita Ann (Clemons) King, his parents, William Raeburn King III and Marian Elizabeth King, and his brother, John Raeburn King. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Lockridge King, his daughter Patricia Mann and her husband Dr. Paul S. Mann; devoted granddaughters Kimberly Kitchen and Kristin Gullett, and her husband Michael, and three great grandchildren, Jenna Kitchen, Nicholas Straughn, and Samantha Grace Gullett, all of Louisville, Ky. Also surviving are two stepdaughters, Susan Hartman of Chambersburg, Pa. and Janet Harvey of Maryville, Tenn. Mr. King was a veteran of WWII serving as a parachute rifleman with the 101st Airborne Division in Europe.  He also sang in the Army choir. He retired from the MFA Seed Division in 1984 after 30 years of service. He loved the sport of trapshooting and the friends he made doing it. Those survivors include his dear friend of many years Jim Badaracco, and other friends and fellow trap shooters, Bob Graf, Charlie White, Rick and Laine Mattieson, Nelson Willingham, Charles Wheaton, Bob Smith and many others.  He achieved national recognition and honors for winning many tournaments and competitions, including the overall veterans’ winner at the 90th Grand American Trapshooting Tournament in Vandalia, Ohio, in 1990, which had a worldwide list of competitors. A memorial celebration of his life will be held at the VFW Hall in Mexico, Mo., on Saturday, April 25, 2009, at 11:00 am. A graveside service will be held at Ridge Park Cemetery in Marshall following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Louisville, 315 East Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202.

Public Tributes and Expressions of Sympathy The staff of Pickering Funeral Home extends our sympathy to the family of Mr. King. We are honored they have allowed us to assist them during this time. I am sorry to hear of Bill's passing. My name is Tut Bellamy. I was at many trap shoots with Bill and became a close friend. I am from Marshall and Bill was always such a joy to talk and visit with. He will be greatly missed. I delt with Bill King for many years when he was with the MFA and every trade was a pleasure. What a fine gentleman. I was a childhood neighbor of Liz. Butch & Marge Fletcher My sympathies to the family. My name is Allen Kohler from Huntsville, Missouri and I first met Bill at a Trapshoot several years ago. No matter where I saw Bill he always had a smile. He was not only a good trapshooter, but a gentleman as well. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Allen Kohler

Private Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at office@pickeringfh.com  
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