Billy King

Billy King, 91, of Owensboro, died Thursday, June 14, 2018, while under the care of Hospice of Western Kentucky.

Billy and his wife Anna Marian Crowe King began their life together with a first date on New Year's Eve, 1948. They were married for 68 years and focused their lives on family, raising six children with love, faith, humor and tenacity. Together they endured the loss of their oldest son, Jeff, from pancreatic cancer in 2014. Billy was a convert to the Catholic faith and a member of Immaculate Church for 60 years.

He will be affectionately and lovingly remembered for his quick wit, sense of humor, love of reading and history, story-telling, generous nature, strong opinions, and wine on Saturday nights.

He was born in Owensboro on April 3, 1927 to the late Gertie Belle and Lee Roy King. His brother Jim King died in 1998.

Billy retired from the U.S. Postal Service. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving in the Pacific in 1945-1946. As a reserve he was called up for active duty in 1951 during the Korean War.

In addition to wife Anna, he is survived by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and brothers. Daughters are Vickie King DuVall of Owensboro; Lee Ann King and fiancé Derek Bivins of Owensboro; Mary Kay King Calery and husband Gary of Lewisburg, Kentucky; and daughter-in-law Judy Monnier King of Owensboro. Sons are Brian King and wife Julie Nolan King of Washington, Indiana; and John King and wife Kelly Foulke King of Owensboro. Grandchildren are Brandon DuVall; Tori DuVall Martin and husband Jake; and Blair DuVall Henry and husband Josh, all of Owensboro; Kevin King and Jason King of Owensboro; Jennifer King Tomes and husband Daniel of Morgantown; Ashley King Dennis and husband Kenneth of Owensboro; Laura King of Owensboro; Chelsea King Blus and husband Joe of Owensboro; and Harrison King of Owensboro.

Great-grandchildren are Dakota and Kai DuVall; Ava, John Patrick, Della and Amelia Martin; Lincoln, Hattie and Mallory Henry; Bailey and Jonah Tomes; Aidan McKinney and Asher Dennis; Chazz Williams; and Emma and Ryder Blus.

Surviving brothers are Bobby King and Jack King, both of Owensboro.

The King family gives heartfelt thanks to caregivers Kyla Brassell and Kathy Foster of Comfort Keepers for their compassionate and attentive care.

The funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, June 19, at 1:00 p.m. at Immaculate Catholic Church, 2516 Christie Place, Owensboro, with visitation at the church before the service from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 415 Crossways Park Drive, Suite D, Woodbury, NY 11797. Condolences to the family may be placed at www.glenncares.com.