Donald W. "Bill" King



War Wagon 16/15
LZ King 6

Donald William King (Bill), of Powder Springs GA passed away on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at the age of 73.
His family will miss his quirky wit, his passion for jokes and the love of gathering close friends together.


Bill is survived by his loving, devoted, and loyal wife, Kim, of 19 years.
He leaves behind four children, Angela Rose (Dave) of Ft Collins CO, Michaela Klose (Allen) of Dallas TX, Nicholas King (Deanna) of Loveland CO and
 John Sprankel (Tori) of Honolulu HI;
also surviving are two grandsons, Ryan Michael Cochran and William James Klose, and one granddaughter, Rowan Ivey Sprankel.

Bill served his country for four years in the Army. He was an OH-6 (Loach) helicopter pilot in Vietnam while assigned to Delta Troop, 3rd/5th Calvary.
His time in this war with these men, meant a great deal to him.
Bill was an only child, so to him these Troopers were his brothers.
He kept in touch with them over the years, and he hosted his troop reunions at his home in GA for 22 years.

Following the war, he continued to serve his country in the Civil Service, and retired as a Military Disaster Planner at Ft McPherson after 31 years, which is where he met Kim.

After retirement, he and Kim were inseparable and traveled extensively with their friends, Lynn and Mark Reade, who they always said were sister and brother by different mothers.

A graveside service will take place on Friday, March 15, 2019 at Georgia National Cemetery at 2:00 PM
with Deacon Bruce Reed officiating.

It is requested that donations be made in Bill’s name to the Disabled American Veterans at the following website: DAV.org

Reflections

1995 Downtown Atlanta


The first reunion organized by Bill
Left to right, back to front:
Bill King, Bob Harshberger (The Mad Russian), JD Bottroff, Rick Waite, George Schmitz, Ed Gallagher Ray Murphy, Don Callison

Wedding Day 1999
Bill and Kim had their wedding at the Reunion they hosted at their home in Norcross, GA.
It was the high point of the event!
 
War Wagon Honor Guard,

Left to right: Rick Waite, Don Callison, George Schmitz, Ray Murphy


 




2002 Reunion


2002 Reunion Hosts their home in Norcross, GA


Bill Assembling the Troop


Preparing to read the memorial roster (2002)

2009 Reunion

Bill looks on as Steve Kirkland reads the memorial roster.
This was the first time Steve attended a reunion and he was quite moved.



Callison presented Bill with a custom restored flight helmet














2010 Reunion


Hosts Kim and Bill

2011 Reunion Hosts




Bill & Kim hosted the 2012 Reunion


Rained out at home, Kim and Bill moved the 2013 Reunion to the Holiday Inn, Powder Springs, GA


Addressing the Troop

2015


Honoring Bill and Kim at the first Daytona Beach Reunion location in 2015 for their service to the Troop for so many years.




2016
Daytona Beach

Left to Right: Bill, Kim's back, Shirley Kaler, Barb & Norm Schreiber

2017
Daytona Beach Reunion


Honoring our former reunion Hosts


Bill at the last Troop gathering he was able to attend. 2017


Bill & Kim
"Slow Hand Salute Brother.."

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