Bill was born on December 4, 1946 to R.D. King, Jr. and Billie Inez (Gregory) King in Cordell, OK. He grew up in Cordell with many beloved family members and friends. He married the love of his life, Charlene, on July 21, 1967, and after graduating from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, they moved to Oklahoma City to begin their teaching careers. During this time Bill also served in the Army National Guard. Bill began his teaching and coaching career at Highland Park Elementary in Del City in 1969. He spent 30 years at Highland Park teaching PE, coaching every sport, and was also a classroom teacher for a few years. He touched many lives over the years as an educator, but those who were most blessed by Bill were his family.
Bill and Charlene raised two children, Jeff and Jaymi. He was always busy teaching, coaching, and working other side jobs such as refereeing, a paper route, and cleaning business, but he always made time to support his kids in their sports and activities. He especially loved when he became “Papa” to Ty, Cooper, Collier, Brittney, and JC. They were his pride and joy! He was so excited to become a great grandpa in March of 2023.
Bill loved his dogs, reading, and spending time outdoors either swimming or tending to his precious yard. He also found great joy in cheering on his favorite teams: the OU Sooners and the Boston Red Sox. He enjoyed traveling and some of his fondest memories were from traveling the world with his kids and grandkids or attending his grandkids’ school and sporting events.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Rita Williams, and is survived by his wife of 55 years, Charlene; son Jeff King and wife Cindy; daughter Jaymi McIlvoy and husband Ryan; grandchildren, Brittney and JC Dijkhuizen, Collier Newby, and Ty and Cooper McIlvoy.
The family would appreciate donations to In Search or the Lord's Way or Meals on Wheels.
