Gwen W. King

Gwen W. King, age 99, died peacefully on Dec. 27, 2010. Gwen was born on Oct. 12 1911, in Oakley, Idaho to William Moultrie and Effie Celestia Worthington. Gwen was one of four children. In 1919 the family went on a homesteading train into Canada to homestead and farm on 160 acres of irrigated land. The farm was located in a small community called Reading just outside of Coaldale, Alberta. In 1929 the family reentered the United States and settled in Cutbank, Montana. Gwen worked for several car dealerships in both Montana and North Dakota doing administrative and licensing work.

In 1941 Gwen met and soon married William E. King. They were said to have met at a bowling alley when Bill told her that he could teach her to bowl. They moved to West Seattle in 1942. Bill worked as a mechanic, privately and with the Texaco Company. They had three children, Gerald, James, and Carolyn. Gwen’s passion was bowling and she continued this for over fifty years. Several of the ladies she bowled with were on the same team for nearly forty years. In 1954 Gwen returned to the work force at Gene Fiedler Chevrolet as the licensing clerk. Gwen worked there from 1954 until her retirement in 1976. Gwen’s husband Bill passed away in 1971. After retirement Gwen became an ardent Mariners baseball fan. She attended the first and last game the Mariners played in the Kingdome. She always looked forward to attending spring training with her friends. In the 80’s Gwen became a world traveler. She traveled the world from New Zealand to Fiji, China, Russia, Mexico, Europe, all across the U.S. and more.

Gwen’s children and grandchildren will always remember her as loving, gracious and warm to all. Many of the grandchildren at sometime in their life lived with grandma for a period of time. Gwen enjoyed this and the grandchildren did too. Her brothers Max and Sam preceded her in death as well as her daughter Carolyn (cancer), in 2005. Jim Worthington, Gwen’s youngest brother, lives in Plentywood, Montana. Gwen’s son Jerry lives in China with his wife Amy and Gwen’s son Jim lives in Lacey, WA with wife Rosemary. She leaves behind many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mom will be missed by many but welcomed by those who have gone before her. We love you Mom.

Memorial service and celebration of life will be on Saturday, January 8th, 10:00 am, at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 6701 30th Avenue, SW, Seattle 98126.