Willie Thomas “Sonny” King, 88, of Wampum passed away Friday, March 1, 2019 at UPMC Jameson Hospital following a short illness.
A lifelong resident of Wampum, Sonny was born August 9, 1930 to the late Willie Vincent and Elizabeth Michaux King. He was married to Daneen Guinevere Gray King for 35 years when she died October 6, 1991.
Sonny graduated from Wampum High School in 1949. He retired from Medusa in 1992 where he was a millwright. A devout Christian, Willie was an active member of the First Baptist Church, serving as chairman of the Board of Deacons, President of the Male Chorus, and longtime Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent. Sonny served in the Navy aboard the USS Wilson, a destroyer during the Korean War. He coached baseball in Wampum for many years.. Sonny was an avid Pittsburgh Sports fan and he enjoyed golfing.
Survivors include two sons, Randy (Kerry) King of Wampum, Darin (Ellen) King of Ellwood City; four grandchildren, Randall, Tyler, Natalie Pilarski, Jason Smith; and seven great grandchildren, Mariah, Jay, Noah, Mia and Harper King and Ethen and Reece Pilarski. Sonny was Godfather to Crystal Allen, Brittny Grymes, and William Martin.
He was preceded in death by his wife, daughter Elizabeth King, sister, Bernice King, and a granddaughter, Kayla Daneen King.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday, March 4 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Marshall Funeral Home 341 Main St. Wampum. Funeral Services will be held at the First Baptist Church on Tuesday at 1pm with his pastor, Rev. Eric Board officiating. Military rites will be offered by the Veterans Honor Guard. Interment will follow in Clinton Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions may be made to First Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com.
To Randy and all the King Family. I am sorry to hear of your loss. Willie was one of the best baseball coaches I ever had. He always had a smile and a positive attitude. As they say in the borough he was good people. I have always considered Randy a friend and I am sure Willie will be missed greatly by all he touched. Prayers and thoughts in your time of need.
Sorry to be out of town and miss a Celebration of Life for a great man and coworker. His smile and laughter was contagious!
Deepest Sympathy. Sonny always had a smile to share. He will be missed in our little town and a great loss to the King family. Due to our location unable to attend.
So sorry for your loss. Willie was always a true gentleman. He always had a good word and smile for everyone. He will be missed by all who knew knew him. All our sympathies to his family.
Our Sympathy to the King Family. He was always so kind to us and smiling.
Sonny always had a smile first and a pleasant word or two to share. Wampum and the world were a better place because of him. He will be missed. Please know our love and prayers are being sent to surround the King family. Deepest Sympathy.