William E. King, 81, of Bartlett, IL and the South Side of Chicago, passed on Thursday, June 21, 2007. Bill married Madge Parks, also of the South Side, over 50 years ago. Bill and Madge had six children. If you asked Bill what he was most proud of he would quickly say his wife Madge and his fine, stalwart family. Bill taught by example: Words like honesty, loyalty, high faith, courage, gentleness and modesty…describe him and the things these children learned from their parents. Bill was generous and always kind, yet he had the steel to build a successful commercial plumbing business. A commitment was taken seriously and customers knew they could rely on quality work and his personal integrity. Bill didn’t talk about ethical conduct; it was just ingrained in his nature and obvious by his actions. He was big, generous, proud and people easily understood this was a man’s man. The children of whom he was so proud are Dr. Bill King of Kaiser Permanente in California, Mary Terese Pohl of Mundelein RN. A daughter, Susan, passed when she was 17 and Bill, I am sure, is with her this minute. Two sons, Patrick J. and John D. of Bartlett made it a point to have breakfast with their Dad nearly every morning, usually at a different spot, at 5 or 6 a.m. for probably the past 10 years. They were good friends of their Dad and proud to be with him. Daughter, Peggy Flynn of Cincinnati is finishing her nursing degree. Peggy and her husband, Kevin, have three children. Bill and Madge together have 13 grandchildren. Madge has been a volunteer at St. Alexius Medical Center for years. Father’s Day this year was special; all children and grandchildren joined Mom and Dad for a celebration. Bill was born and raised on Chicago’s South Side; a decorated Navy man serving on board the cruiser USS Nashville, CL 43 in its operations in the Pacific during WWII, participating in some of the fierce and famous battles and landings during that period. Coming out of the Navy, Bill became an Apprentice Plumber, moved up to Journeyman status, then as a Master Plumber formed his own company, King Plumbing, which survives today under the leadership of his third son, John. Bill is survived by his sister, Geraldine Wildauer of Cherry Hill, NJ; and brother, Pat of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. He was preceded in death by his brother, John King. Bill King was a strong man, gentle and loving. We are comforted to remember the man, the life he lived and the example he set. Visitation Sunday 4 to 8 p.m. at the Countryside Funeral Home & Crematory, 950 South Bartlett Rd. (at Stearns Rd.), Bartlett. Funeral Monday, 9:30 a.m. to St. Peter Damian Church. Mass 10 a.m. Following Mass, cremation will be private the the Countryside Crematory. 630-289-7575 .
