King William York, age 76, took his last breath with his wife holding his hand on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 3:15 pm and was reunited with our Lord and Savior.
King was born June 28, 1946 in San Antonio, Texas to William Walter and Lorene Emilie Willms York. He was the first son of two surviving children. His sister, Nancy was born 7 years later. He was raised Lutheran and attended St. John’s Lutheran Church in San Antonio. During his childhood he and his father shared the love of the outdoors and the hobby of raising homing pigeons. He would tell stories of how they would drive the pigeons 5+ miles from their home and release them, always amazed at their talent to find their way back home. He also loved to read and to sing. He was a member of the choir both at his church growing up and during his years in high school. At age 5 he had a debut performance at the Beethoven Männerchor in San Antonio by singing a solo, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.
He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in San Antonio, 1964. The following year he began his postsecondary education at Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, Texas.
In 1966, he met and married the love of his life. King and Diane Harris were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in San Antonio on November 18, 1966. In 1969 they relocated to the Dallas area where Diane was raised. He became a member of the First Baptist Church of Dallas where Diane had already been a lifelong member. King was an active member of the church, serving on the Junior Board of Deacons, teaching Sunday school and volunteering as an Usher during Sunday morning services. He also sang with the church choir and orchestra.
King was an entrepreneur. He provided for his family with various businesses owned and operated by him and his wife. He was an active member in his community and worked hard to make it a better place to raise a family. He was a life member of the Garland Jaycees, a JCI Senator, a US Jaycee Ambassador, a Rattlesnake Corp member, and a Tennessee Volunteer with the Tennessee Jaycees. In 1972, he and his wife began traveling to National Jaycee Conventions. He volunteered at the Jaycees Rattlesnake Roundup where he cooked rattlesnake to serve the other 49 states in attendance at the party. All proceeds were directed back to the community by the Jaycees. In 1979, King was On-To chairman for the National Jaycee Convention in Nashville, TN. King received many awards during his service as a Jaycee and loved serving his community. He stopped traveling to out of state conventions in 1983. He and his wife were determined to visit all 50 states during their travels. They managed to do so, visiting the last 2 states, Alaska in 2016 and Hawaii in 2017, for their 50th and 51st wedding anniversaries.
King also loved the outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, hiking and camping. In 1992, he and his wife relocated to their ranch in Brownwood, Texas, where he resided until his death. King genuinely cared about others and the term stranger was foreign to him. He was liked by everyone he came in contact with. He was always the life of the party. With his easy spirit and humor he could lighten the mood of any situation. King was known well for quoting; “if at first you don’t fricassee, fry, fry a hen!”
King is survived by Diane, his wife of 56 years. Their four children and their spouses; Mark Emil and wife [Amy], King William Jr and former wife [Cindy], Mary Jane Marsh and husband [Barry], Bessie “Becki” Laurie Burchfield and husband [Mikel “Scott”]. Thirteen grandchildren; Zachary Marsh, Amanda Jane Pittman, Timothy Neil Thompson, Aaron Mikel Burchfield, Kristin Eve York, Courtney Jeanette Pittman, Heather Abigail Thompson McLucas, Chance Marsh, Isabel York, Seth Thomas Marsh, Cody Allen Marsh, Joshua William York, Jake Ryan Burchfield. Eleven great grandchildren; Aryel McLucas, Olivia McLucas, Asher Flint, Isaac Marsh, Adalynn McLucas, Ian Dennis, Cason McLucas, Carson McLucas, Ezekiel Marsh, Easton Jett Thompson, Clyde Marsh. His sister Nancy Gayle and husband [Gary] Simmang. Their daughter, King’s niece, Shawna Hardin and her husband [Brandon] and their two children, Noah and Emily. His sister in law; Susan Seagroves, brothers in law; Thomas and his wife Cohnie Harris, Jack and his wife Paula Harris. Many nieces, nephews and cousins.
King was preceded in death by his father William Walter “Buddy” York, his mother Lorene Emilie Willms York, his infant brother Toby Wayne York, his grandparents Tobias Emil and Emilie Willms, his uncle Leroy and aunt Olinda Willms, his father & mother in-law Monk “Grandy” and Mary Jane “Mama” Harris, and his niece Angela “Angie” Harris Jones.
Memorial services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Brownwood, 208 Austin Avenue on Saturday, January 7th, 2023 at 2 pm.
Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net.
