Robert King Jr.

Bob King grew up in Wylam, Alabama, the son of Robert and Mary King. He was married for more than 63 years to Jacqueline Wilbanks King, an artist and beloved wife who died in 2005.

A first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Force’s 487th bomb group, he served as bombardier in 36 combat missions over Germany and France in World War II. His 839th squadron flew B-24 and B-17 planes across Europe, bombing German targets and supporting the invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. Wounded by anti-aircraft fire, he recovered in a field hospital and returned to combat missions three months later. At 98 years old, he was one of the last surviving crew members of the 839th bomb squadron that flew out of the Allied base at Lavenham, England, north of London.

He attended Birmingham Southern College and the University of Alabama in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. He was an engineer who worked 40 years at Allied Chemical and Barrett operations in Birmingham.

He was a member of Bluff Park United Methodist Church, an Alabama fan, and a very honorable man. He was dedicated to his family and friends and lived his Christian faith by putting others first. He was an extremely generous, caring, and compassionate man.

Survivors include son Kim W. King and wife Carol, son Kevin E. King, granddaughter Dr. Christine King Padgett (Michael), grandson Kevin D. King (Nicole), granddaughter Brittany King Newman (Gyro), and great-grandsons Nathaniel and Everett Padgett.

He was preceded in death by his wife Jacqueline, his parents Robert and Mary, his sister Katherine King Vann, and his brother Joe King.

Funeral services will be held graveside at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at 2:00 pm with the Rev. John Gates officiating.