William Ward King

Obituary William Ward King, 87, of Beaufort, died May 5, 2020 at Brookdale Senior Living Center, Morehead City. He was born at Potters emergency hospital on Front Street in Beaufort, August 4, 1932 to Gladys Cartmill and Robert E. King. He spent his most formative years at the Open Grounds where his father was superintendent of Georgania Pope Yeatmans farm. He graduated from Beaufort High School in 1950 and attended UNC-Chapel Hill for two years. The following two years he served in the Army and was deployed overseas during the Korean War. He returned to UNC, where he graduated with a BS degree in Banking and Finance. He began his career in the shipping industry working for Morehead Shipping Company at the NC State Port in Morehead City. He moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1964 where he was vice president of Eller and Company. Later he moved to Tampa, FL and then to Wilmington, NC where he served as vice president of Cooper/T Smith. He spent his last working years in Houston, TX opening an office for Cooper/T Smith. In 1960 he married Paula Jones of Beaufort. They had two sons, David Paul King of Fort Myers, FL, and Edward Hancock King of Newport. His grandson is William Sylvester King of Wilmington, NC. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Paula, his two sons, grandson, his brother Robert E. King of Jacksonville, NC, many nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. Ward was a lifetime member of the Episcopal Church. He served on the vestry at Saint Pauls Beaufort, Saint Benedicts Fort Lauderdale, Fl and Saint Johns in Wilmington, NC. He also participated in various civic organizations throughout the years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Gladys King, brother Charles King and half-brother John "Jack" Barnes. He was truly a gentleman and was loved and admired by all who knew him. Graveside services will be held at Saint Pauls Episcopal Church, but due to social distancing only ten attendees will be allowed. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Pauls Episcopal Church Cemetery Fund, 215 Ann Street, Beaufort, NC 28516 or to the Alzheimers Association www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate, 800-272-3900 or P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. Services Private Service