Birgus William "B.W." King

Birgus William "B.W." King, 91, of Kingsport, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 28, 2016, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center following a brief illness. Mr. King grew up in Persia, TN, where he was the oldest of nine children. At nearly 92, he had experienced life in ways that made his memory better than any history book. He lived through the Great Depression, worked for a time as a sharecropper, remembered attending his grandfather's Confederate funeral, served his country, was a devoted husband for more than 54 years, and had seven children. Mr. King was a monument to history and truly one of "The Greatest Generation." Of all of his achievements, Mr. King was most proud of having served his country during World War II. He was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Force on February 3, 1943, in Ft. Oglethorpe, GA. Mr. King participated in the Pacific Theater in the Mariana Islands, and he was stationed in Guam, Saipan, and Tinian. During his military service, Mr. King earned several medals, including the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, the American Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Expert Marksman Medal, and the Meritorious Unit Award. After his military service, Mr. King worked as an auto body mechanic in Kingsport until his retirement.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Christine King; three daughters, Barbara Ann King, Margaret Blakely, and Thelma Fletcher; one grandson, Clayton Fletcher; his parents; two sisters; and three brothers.

Mr. King is survived by one daughter, Naomi Duncan; three sons, Luke King and wife Cathy, Billy King and wife Ann, and Wayne King; eleven grandchildren and several great grandchildren; special friend, Gladys Arnold; three sisters, Velma Christian, Lucille Smith, and Ina Hawkins; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 1, 2016 at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. The funeral service will follow with Pastor Raymond Hammonds officiating.

Graveside services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at Old Kingsport Presbyterian Church Cemetery with Military Rites given by American Legion Posts 3/265.

Pallbearers will be family and friends.

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