William Eugene King

Fairview ~ William Eugene King, 83, of Fairview died Thursday, January 8, 2003 in a local nursing facility. A native of Yancey County, Mr. King was the son of the late Cordellia Robinson and William Marion King. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Clide Elizabeth Harris King, who died in 1974 and a son, Donald Eugene King, who died in 2002, two sisters, Willie Mae Harris and Bertha McGraw and a brother, Roy King. Mr. King was a World War II Army veteran and a retired, self-employed dairy farmer. He enjoyed spending time with friends and workers at Fleshers of Fairview. Survivors include four daughters, Annette Firkatoune of Asheville, Betty King of Charlotte, Mary Barnwell and her husband, James of Fairview and Rachel Gurganus and her husband, Eugene of Charlotte; a son, Billy King and his wife, Ann of Salisbury; a sister, Pauline Harris of Fletcher; a brother, Clayton King and his wife, Kathleen of Fletcher; eighteen grandchildren, thirty-two great-grandchildren and several great, great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be conducted Monday at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on Long Shoals Road with Pastor Junior King officiating. Interment will follow in Emma's Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 7:00 - 8:30 PM at the funeral home.