Obituaries

Billy James King

Photo of Billy James King
Funeral services to celebrate the life of Billy James King will be held Monday, June 10, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Hill Crest Memorial Chapel in Haughton, La. Rev. Billy Pierce will be officiating the service. Interment will follow the service at Hill Crest Memorial Park with full military honors. The family will be receiving friends on Monday, from 10 until time of service at Hill Crest Memorial Chapel. Billy was born on June 15, 1927 in Little Rock, Ark. and passed away on June 6, 2013 at the Northwest Louisiana War Veterans Home in Bossier City, La. following a two year battle with dementia. He was 85 years old at the time of his death. Following graduation from North Little Rock High School in 1945, he enlisted in the Maritime Service and served with the U.S. Merchant Marines. He joined the Air Force Reserve in 1948 and entered active duty in 1951, gaining his commission as a second lieutenant in 1953. Colonel King was a master navigator and amassed over 5000 hours of flying, with numerous decorations including the Bronze Star. He was stationed at Mather AFB, Carswell AFB, SAC Headquarters, Cheyenne Mountain, U-Tapao, Thailand, the Pentagon, and Barksdale AFB and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He retired from the Air Force in 1981 as Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Eighth Air Force, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Colonel King continued his education at Louisiana Tech University and started a business in financial services before retiring a second time in 2008. He was an avid golfer and played many famous courses, but his favorite was his home course of Fox Run at Barksdale. He had 3 lifetime holes-in-one. He was preceded in death by his parents, Zadie Hill King and James Earl King, his brothers Joesph, Raymond, and Robert, and his sister Ramona Woods. Colonel King was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and his sons were his pride and joy. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Bettie Tucker King; his son Michael and wife Ann of Fort Collins, Colo.; his son David and wife Phoebe of Bedminster, N.J.; and four grandchildren, Carson, Holden, Joshua and Samantha. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Barksdale golf course. Memorials may be made in his name to the Northwest Louisiana War Veterans Home or to the donor's choice. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Fleniken and the Staff of Northwest Louisiana War Veterans Home for their kindness and compassion while caring for our loved one. You may share your condolences with the family by visiting www.hillcrestmemorialfh.com.

Published June 9, 2013

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