William Donald King

William Donald “Bill” King, 82, Louisville, KY, died on Monday, November 6, 2017, nine months after his beloved wife Frances Bryan King died. Born on February 4, 1935, he grew up near Churchill Downs and graduated from Male High School.

Bill’s generous heart loved everyone he met. No children of his own, he married a woman with three daughters. Not only did he survive them, he became their “Stepdaddy Bill.” Their friends turned him into “Poppa Bill,” and he was “Papa” to four granchildren and two great-grandchildren. And it took all of them to soften up his grouchy voice.

Bill proudly served in the U.S. Army. He remained an ardent supporter of the University of Louisville after graduation and was even in “Naptown” for the Card’s first NCAA Championship. He was a Kentucky Colonel, and enjoyed going to the boat.

At 74-years-old Bill was discovered by his half-siblings. Their love, along with his young grandson Ian, gave Bill’s heart extra life.

Along with his wife, Bill was preceded in death by his parents Chester King and Lois Baumgardner King Murphy, his brother Tommy Murphy, and his daughter Beverly Jessie Scott.

Bill is survived by his daughters Kimberly Jessie Caples (Perry) and T.J. Jessie, brothers Glen (JoAnn), Tommy (Alice), and Richard (Jenny) King, and sisters Janet King Garner and Hilda King Reynolds (Cary), his uncle Max Baumgardner, and cousin Mark Metcalfe.

Funeral will be Saturday, November 11 at 2 PM. Visitation will be earlier that day from 10 AM-2 PM. Both will be at Arch L Heady Funeral Home at 3601 Taylor Blvd.

Memorials in his name can be made to FEAT of Louisville at 1100 E Market Street, Louisville, KY 40206, or go online to www.featoflouisville.org.