On Friday, May 10 2019, the man I thought would surely live forever left this world. My Daddy, Walter Eugene King, Jr. known to many as “Gene” was the strongest, toughest man I’ve ever known. To most, he was stubborn, hard headed, and at times, even I could have sworn he was made of steel. He was a “what you see, is what you get” kind of man. His exterior might have appeared hard and chiseled with a gruff voice to back it up. But to me, his little girl, he was just a big ‘ol teddy bear who loved me more than I could ever put into words. And I loved him back ten times more.
“Daddy loves you, baby girl.”
Every phone call, every time I seen him.....I could count on those words. He had a tendency of speaking in third person. It was never “I love you.” It was always “daddy loves you.” Even at 38 years old, when he spoke, I was his “little girl.” I’m going to miss that feeling. During one of the times that I should be strong and brave, I want nothing more than to just be “daddy’s little girl” again. My heart is forever broken, but I know he is at peace. His body is new again, his hair is full and as silver as a foxes tail (he was proud of that hair!) and he’s in a brand new boat fishing on Lay Lake….making up for lost time on the water and afterwards, he will catch up on some Alabama football with all his loved ones that have been waiting on his arrival. And if he could, I know he would tell me “Daddy’s alright, don’t you worry about me baby girl.”
He is survived by his daughter; Shasta Hayes (Scottie); sons, Shannon Walker and Hunter King; sisters, Yvonne Martin, Peggy Henderson (Larry), and Angela Nails (Craig); grandchildren, Walker Hayes and Morgan Hayes; numerous nieces and nephews and his fur babies, Diva and Toodles.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Connie King; parents, Walter and Audrey King; stepson, Jarrod Williams; nieces, Kelley Howard and Crystal Martin; brother-in-law, Alan Martin.
Considering my daddy’s thoughts on funerals (he wasn’t a fan), I’ve decided to have a ceremony honoring his life. I ask you to join his family on Monday, May, 20 2019 at 4:00p.m. at United Freewill Baptist Church Anniston AL 36201 to celebrate the man that we all loved so much.
