Billy Gene King

Billy Gene King, 68, of Houston, Texas passed away Saturday, June 22, 2019. He was born in Houston, Texas on March 26, 1951 to parents Jimmy and Nona Hopkins King. Billy graduated from MacArthur High School and took additional classes at San Jacinto Junior College and Lone Star College. After working as a brick layer, Billy had a career in lapidary and jewelry making with Kings Gem Center, the family rock shop since 1971. He was a member of the Church of Christ Deerbrook, Humble, Texas.

We were a family of six growing up close to cousins in Texas and Oklahoma. Visiting Mother's parents on an oil lease 50 miles from Pecos, we would hunt ancient Indian arrowheads. No one had the keen vision for seeing them as Billy. One Christmas, Billy received a chemistry set. Therefore, we called him "the scientist." He drew with pencil or ink until in high school, he learned to use paints. As he studied history, he began model building of military aircraft and sea vessels. Viewing a display of battleships, he could explain various aspects of the ships. He stored so much history in his mind. He gathered many technical books and would know information that one would not imagine him knowing. Actually, he wished to become a forest ranger so he studied botany. Billy always seemed to have a dog or a cat, which he fancied, deeply. He and Joe Dailey, one of our customers, would challenge one another in basketball. Together, they were the funniest, most comical and extraordinarily witty two guys which I have ever heard. Billy loved a good joke. He truly had a tickly box that was contagious, making everyone happy. Billy was the instigator of the Rock Shop, King's Gem Center, in the early to mid- sixties. He got Daddy pointed in that direction then Dad did not stop going forward, advancing one skill after another. Billy began working with Dad and Mother in 1971, becoming an excellent gemstone cutter and polisher. He also became an excellent silversmith and jeweler. Billy with his unique personality will be deeply missed by many.

He is survived by sister Carol McGee and hubby Kenny; brother Jimmy King and wife Mary, brother David King and wife Carolyn, niece Tracy Elledge and hubby Kenny, nephew Jason King, nephew Robert King and wife Mandy, nephew Travis King and wife Rose and great-nieces and nephews Ashlyn Elledge, Briana Elledge, Lynsie King, Brooklyn King, Patrick King, Nathan King, Levi King, Isaac King.