William M. "Skip" King passed away on August 13, 2008. He was born on December 17, 1957 to Estelle and Jack King in Austin, Texas. Skip graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in Austin, class of 1976. He was a member of the first class to graduate from the present building of Austin High School. He then graduated in 1983 from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He received his Doctorate Degree in Law from Mississippi College School of Law in 1986. Skip was an active member in the legal community for over twenty years. He was a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Austin Young Lawyers Association. Skip was an avid auto enthusiast. He restored or worked on at least seven classic automobiles. He shared the task of restoration of four of the cars with his sons. He was also a member of several classic car organizations. Skip could find educational value in almost everything imaginable. His sons learned more about history from him than they did from school. A car ride around Austin with him was certainly an educational one. Skip once served on the City of Austin Historic Landmark Commission and could tell you the history of nearly every building and piece of property in town. The Civil War and nearly every battle of World War II was stored in his head. In high school, he participated in Civil War reenactments and developed a taste for collecting antique firearms. He passed on his love of these relics by teaching shooting and handling lessons as well as their history and significance to Boy Scouts in the Capital Area Council. His love of music transcended the age gap between him and his sons, and continues on to this day embodied in the diverse musical tastes, and musical talents of his family. Schlitterbahn, and the beach were favorite vacation destinations for him and his boys. In the 80's Skip liked to take the family to Austin Aquafest on Auditorium Shores, and into the late the 90's he could always find a grassy hill on the side of Mopac which would serve as the perfect vantage point from which to watch the 4th of July fireworks. It was never dull around the house. One could usually find Skip making bad jokes and puns or horse playing with the boys. His son, David, recalls one of many fond memories: "I remember William, my Dad, and I were at Enfield Park in Austin throwing and hitting baseballs. I hit one as hard as I could (at that time), which went straight back and nailed Dad in the forehead. He dropped immediately to the ground and momentarily lost consciousness. William and I were terrified as to what may have just happened. However, the stubborn man quickly regained his senses and sat up. Shortly after that we went home and iced down his head with a bag of frozen peas. We got a good laugh at the sight of the baseball's stitches, which were bruised into his forehead." Skip lived his whole life with the sole purpose of improving that of his children. He was a good companion to his friends, and was a great father to his children. These qualities will survive him, as they have been instilled in the habits of the four men that he helped give life to. Skip was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his four sons, David Allen King, William Prentice King, Philip Archer King, and Andrew Thomas King, his two brothers; Jack King and his wife Leslie, and Bobby King and his wife Kay. His pallbearers were his four sons, and his nephews: Chris King and Davis Brown. A visitation was held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. Graveside services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 17, 2008 at Nixon Cemetery in Nixon, Texas. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his honor. Memorials may be sent to the William M. King Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 29906, Austin, Texas 78755.
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