Billy Joe King

OBITURARY

SUNRISE: MAY 28, 1940

SUNSET: OCTOBER 1, 2019

Billy Joe “BJ” King, 79 of El Cajon, CA, passed away Monday, October 1, 2019 at his

home peacefully in his sleep.

BJ, as he was known by many friends and acquaintances, was born May 28, 1940 in

Dallas, Texas to Alonzo B. King and Juanita (Sissy) Duffy. He graduated from Lincoln

High School in 1958. BJ attended City College in San Diego, studying electronics. He

enlisted, served and honorably discharged from the United States Army from 1965‐

1967. On August 2, 1968 he married his former partner, Eddia Marie Williams. BJ was

employed as an Electronic Technician for 33 years, having worked for varied defense

contractors in San Diego; such as Gulf General Atomic, Naval Ocean Systems Center

Command (NOSCC) and Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR).

After legally separating from his former wife in 1977, BJ in addition to working a fulltime

job, opened a television repair shop in University Heights. Where he became

known in the neighborhood as a skillful, trustworthy and reputable shop owner, that

was loved by the community. He made sure that his customers were satisfied with the

work he performed. Many of his customers became longtime friends. One such

customer was the late Helene Samisch, with whom he shared a beautiful friendship of

over 30 years. BJ accompanied her to social events and enriched her already splendid

life. BJ took care of Helene through the last years of her life. As he always said,

“Helene was very supportive of me over the years; I need to take care of her.” BJ King

was the unofficial “Mayor of Park Avenue”; known throughout his El Cajon

neighborhood as someone you could count on for assistance with a variety of home,

auto and electronic projects. BJ constantly worked to keep himself abreast of current

events and technologies. Wherein, he enjoyed engaging in intellectual debates and

discussions. He was adept at speaking from both sides of the conversations. Although

small in stature, BJ was a larger than life human being. He was always ready for a

challenge and affectionately known as the “Energizer Bunny”. BJ spent part of his last

evening mowing the lawn. BJ will be truly missed and beloved by all those who were

blessed to know him.

BJ was predeceased in death by his parents Alonzo and Juanita, his niece Kimberly

King in 2008, his aunt Jessie Holmes in 2014, his sister Mildred Faye Smalling King in

2015, his brother Alonzo King in 2017 and his niece Joannie Alexander in 2018. BJ is

survived by his daughters, Markoh King of La Mesa, CA; Lisa King of Washington, DC;

twin brother Bobby King of Saint Laurent, France; sister Betty Hooey of Dallas, TX;

nephew Michael King of Berkeley, CA; niece Stephanie King of Sacramento, CA;

nephew Darvin Hooey of Arlington, TX; nephew Alonzo Ray King of Dallas, TX; niece

Kristie King‐Brown of Dallas, TX; cousin Sandra Williams of Oakdale, CA; niece Leitha

McFarland of Dallas, TX, as well as, a host of other cousins, grandnieces and

grandnephews.

Private burial at sea to follow cremation.