Walter O. King

Walter O. King, 87, of Abilene died Wednesday, March 26, 2014. Walter was born in Stamford, Texas on August 29, 1926, to Walter Oral King and Margery Kilpatrick King. The family moved to Abilene in the Spring of 1936. He was a graduate of Abilene High School and attended McMurry College. Walt worked hard all of his life and began working and delivering papers at the young age of 12. Also in his young years he worked at several of Abilene’s first drug stores, Fains, as well as McMurry Drug. In 1941 he worked for Banner Creamery. It was there he met Pete Booth with the Candy Kitchen. As my Dad shared with us it was there, he learned a lot about life, the importance of serving people and the love for his Country. His next move up, as he described, was a job with Martin Linen Company, and there he was employed until the time of his enlistment with the U.S. Navy in 1944. Dad served his Country in World War II and was in active serving during the Battle of Okinawa. He then re-enlisted and served again during the Korean conflict until 1953. Walt owned and operated from 1960 to 1991 King Tile Company, and still today his sons continue the family business as King Brothers Tile. Walt had a great passion for people, loved his Lord and his Church, of which he was a faithful member for 73 years. Walt is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Jean, his three sons, Neal and wife Karalyn, Philip and wife Tammi, Billy Jack and wife LeAnn; one daughter, Carol Ann Chappell and husband John; his 9 grandchildren, Jason King, Justin King, Julia Hehn, Jordan King, Coby Hutcheson, Cole Hutcheson, Cutter Hutcheson of Abilene, LaPonna Moore and Moriah Kerr of Ft Worth. Dad was also survived by 14 great-grandchildren. Survivors also include one brother, Jackson King and wife Anita; and two sisters-in-law, Jo King and Cherie King Hunter, all of Lubbock, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Bill and John King of Lubbock; two sisters, Jane McNeely and Maria Maxwell of Abilene. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2014 at First Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Garland Wallace officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd. Pallbearers will be Jason King, Justin King, Coby Hutcheson, Cole Hutcheson, Cutter Hutcheson, Jordan King, Benjamin Moore, Ryan Kerr and Robert Hehn. Memorials may be made to the Building Fund of The First Church of the Nazarene, or to the charity of the donor’s choice. The family would like to extend their gratefulness to Kent County Nursing Facility for their excellent care and love that was shown to their dad, Walter.