He was born August 22, 1951 in Peoria to William “Bill” and Kolleen (Wagner) King. He married Susan Hammer on June 6, 1992 in Peoria. She survives along with his father, Bill King of Peoria, two daughters: Amanda King, Madison King , one son, Stephen King II all of Peoria, one sister, Terry Wiggins of Texas, and four brothers: Tony (Jeanne) King of Peoria, Don (Laurie) King of East Peoria, Ron King of Peoria, and Bill (Roberta) King of Peoria. He was preceded in death by his mother and one sister, Tina Bootz.
The “Godfather of Craft Beer” or as dubbed by the Journal Star “The King of Cheers,” Steve owned and operated Specialty Import Distributing Company of Peoria from 1990 to its sale in 2013. He was the founder of the Peoria International Beer Festival, which celebrated its 26th year in 2018. This is known as the longest running beer festival in the United States. He was a member of the National Beer Wholesalers Association, Brewers Association, and Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois, and is a Cicerone Certified Beer Server.
Steve is a graduate of St. Marks Grade School and Peoria High School, Class of 1969. He held many jobs before starting his company including: Crawford’s, Poison Apple, Billkings, River Station, Arrowhead Country Club, Jim’s Steakhouse, and home wine sales.
He served on the board of Peoria’s Friends of Friedrichshafen, and volunteered at Kellogg Golf Course. He was a member of St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church and involved in their Men’s Club. He served on the Class of ‘69 Reunion Committee and was a friend to the Peoria Jaycees and local craft brew associations.
Visitation will be Friday, April 27, 2018 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria. A funeral mass for Steve will be Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 2pm at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church in Peoria. An additional visitation will be one hour prior to the services on Saturday. Burial will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria. A Celebration of Life will be at his home following the funeral.
Contributions may be made to the Steve King Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1715 Peoria, IL 61656-1715, or at any CEFCU location.
You may view Steve’s obituary online at www.davison-fulton.com
