Willie King

Willie "Bill" King, born February 1, 1923, joined his love, Nettie Sue Spears King in Heaven on November 21, 2017, at 6:51 a.m. while family gathered in his home to say their goodbyes.
One of 12, Willie was born in Pike County, KY, to the late John and Clara Pruitt King.
In addition to his wife of 58 and 1/2 years, he was preceded in death by two children, Billie Sue Bradley (Jerry) and David Lee King (Charlotte); one grandchild, Kelley Ann Stevens; three sisters, Sarah Elkins (Carl), Gladys Hatcher (Wesley), Olga Layne (Jim); one brother, Joseph Harold King (Audrey) and four infant siblings.
Willie is survived by three children, Carl Gene King (Judi), Nina Jo Stevens (Bud) and Nettie Jo Damron (Kevin); eight grandkids, Tara Howell, Todd Stevens (Christy), Tippi Thompson (CL), Briana Fultz (Brent), Brietta Lusby, Ashley Bradley (JP), Andy Damron, Brock Damron; 16 great-grandkids, Harper, Hannah, Cydney, Cole, Taylor, Trevor, Cass, Jacob, Joseph, Joshua, Lucas, Emily, Grace, Will, Ben and Braiden; and siblings, Roxie Justice (Clyde) of Harold, KY; Albert King (Laurel) of Harold; John Paul King (Lois) of Louisa, KY; Dolly Senters (Willis) of Lorain, OH.
At 20 years old he joined the U.S. Army where he served our country during WWII and was deployed to the Philippines and New Guinea. He was a member of Company H 865th Engineers Aviation Battalion where he earned the following decorations and citations, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with a Bronze Star.
In life he worked hard to provide for his family and attended the Westwood United Baptist Church and Association meetings. He had been employed in the coal mines prior to joining the Laborers Union on Sept. 4, 1956, serving 61 proud years working very hard to keep the Union alive and respected. If he wasn't working he could be found in his garden with plantings and pickings or on the porch sipping sweet tea.
He told stories to the kids and grand-kids about his youth, his time in the war and the way things used to be when he was growing up. He had a sense of humor and was a good husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Willie was fortunate to work on countless jobs with his two sons, Carl and David. He enjoyed many hours of hunting and fishing with them when they were young and many more in the days after his retirement.
Family was extremely important to him, but sometimes there are those who are like family that mean just as much. We would like to express our sincere thanks to Diane who cared for Daddy in the final months of his life. She was there when it was difficult for us to be. She watched over him like he was her own father and we cannot praise her enough for the friendship she gave him and the peace we have knowing he was well cared for.
Visitation will be Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, from 6-9 p.m. at Steen Funeral Home 13th Street Chapel.
Funeral service will be Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, at 11 a.m. at Westwood United Baptist Church, Ashland, on Hoods Creek Pike.
He will lie in state from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.
Final resting place will be Golden Oaks Memorial Gardens where military rites will be provided by the U.S. Army and American Legion Kenova Post 93.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Westwood United Baptist Church or Community Hospice of Ashland.