William King Jr.

Services February 18 & 19, 2023

William King, Jr., was born on November 26, 1929 to parents William and Jean in Brooklyn, NY.

William had an older brother Alan King, his wife JoAnn, Bill’s niece and nephew Virginia Victoria King and Peter King and nieces and nephews Marion, Cheryl and Larry. Bill has a younger sister Linda. Linda is married to Albert Ahrens, they have 3 daughters; Bill’s niece’s; Beverly, married to Ivan, with 2 daughters, Bill’s great-nieces Anneli and Camile, daughter, Evelyn married to Eric and daughter Jennifer married to Michael. Bill is also survived by many beloved cousins and second cousins.

William was known as Billy as a young man and later went by Bill. He attended New York public school.

Bill joined the US Army in 1947.

He served at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and traveled to Europe and Asia while serving during the Korean War.

William met his bride to be, Beatrice Barr, while he was serving in the US Army, as Bea was serving in the Womens Army Corp at the time.

Bill & Bea were married December 23, 1955 by the Burgermeister in Landstuhl, Germany and they had a civilian ceremony on December 31st.

They lived in Ft. Devens, Massachusetts, where their son Benjamin Brian, known as Ben, was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1958. Ben is married to Corky King.

Moving to Miami, Florida in late 1958, Bill joined his Father, William King, Sr., Mother, Jean King, brother, Alan King and sister, Linda King, at the Ranch House Restaurant they all owned and operated in Miami, Florida. The Ranch House would later become the location for the first Burger King Restaurant in Miami.

Bill and Bea had three additional children; Deborah Jean, known as Debbie, born on Independence Day, July 4,1960; Barbara Ellen, known as Bobbie, born January 23, 1962; and Patricia Lee, known as Pattie, born on June 24, 1966. Bobbie is married to David Best.

While living in Miami for several decades, Bill worked as an X-Ray Technician, a Licensed Practical Nurse, graduated from Miami-Dade Community College, and was a letter carrier for the US Post Office, while maintaining his service in the US Army Reserve.

Bill was active in his children’s lives participating in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts events and fundraisers. Bill was very proud to see his son, Ben, become Eagle Scout. Bill was a member of Norland United Methodist Church in Miami, Florida during the 1970s where he attended with his wife Bea and their 4 children.

Bill’s beloved grandchildren include from son Ben; Melissa, Brian and Justin; from daughter Debbie; Christie and Dalton; from daughter Bobbie; William and Candice; from daughter Pattie; Jillian.

Bill would continue his career with the US Army Reserve and went on to serve as Sergeant Major, in the role of Recruiter and also instructing Recruiters on a national basis. After moving from Miami in 1979, Bill returned to Active Duty and he and Bea and Pattie lived on military bases in Fort Sheridan, Illinois, Fort Lewis in Washington State and Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina, before moving to Orlando in 1988. Bill proudly served in the US Army and Army Reserve for 32 years. Bill was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and he was a Mason/Bahia Shriner.

Bill and his wife, Bea, were longtime members at Delaney Street Baptist Church, Orlando. Bill regularly participated in the Color Guard Memorial and Veteran’s Day ceremonies at Delaney. Bill, among others, will be honored and remembered at the Memorial Day ceremony at Delaney Street Baptist Church in May of this year.

Bill served in many occupations while living in Orlando; including Sales Consultant at Woodlawn Memorial Park, and as an Insurance Agent with Prudential Insurance Company. Bill was the first President of TREA, The Retired Enlisted Association Sunshine Chapter 124, the first chapter in Orlando, with monthly meetings held at Delaney Street Baptist Church. Dad said of his many accomplishments at TREA, “There are milestones in your life, and this is one of them—a big one.”

Bill also enthusiastically participated with Boone High School’s Navy Junior ROTC program in Orlando.

Bill was blessed to have great-grandchildren he and Bea adored, including:

Isaiah and Mason born to granddaughter Candice.

Natalie, Madeleine and Evelyn born to granddaughter Jillian. Jillian is married to Christopher.

Jordan, Raelynn and Weston born to grandson Dalton. Dalton is married to Jessica.

Grace born to grandson Brian. Brian is married to Millie.

Bill was predeceased in 1970 by his father William Sr., in 1988 by his grandson, Billy, in 1988 by his mother Jean, in 2011 by his brother Alan, in 2017 by his wife of 62 years, Bea, and in 2022 by his daughter, Pattie.

William King, Jr. was loved by his entire family as well as his many friends. Bill was looked up to and loved by the adoring staff who took excellent care of him while living at the Community Living Center at the Lake Nona VA Medical Center in Orlando from August 2018 until he went to Heaven on January 30, 2023.

Two things that Dad and Mom often said to us, were, “Be Brave” and “Keep Your Chin Up”.

We All Love You Dad, We Will Miss You And We Look Forward To Seeing You In Heaven!