Billy King

Billy Allen King, 87, passed away on Friday, June 3, 2026 at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. He was born February 10, 1939 in Smithville to the late Daniel Edward and Ollie Frances Stegall King. Billy grew up in Smithville and was a graduate of Smithville High School, Class of 1957. In 1958, with the love for his country in heart and mind, Billy enlisted in the United States Navy and began what would become an exemplary 20 year career. Billy served aboard both the USS America an amphibious assault ship and the Navy Aircraft Carrier, USS Enterprise during the Vietnam War. During his service in the Navy, Billy earned many commendations, medals and awards for his devoted and steadfast service, eventually retiring with the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. On March 13, 1962, Billy married the former Thelma McGuffin and together they had over 64 wonderful years of marriage. After retirement from the Navy, Billy worked as a heavy equipment operator for Fowlkes Contracting and R&S Sand and Gravel. Mechanically inclined, Billy served as the family mechanic and would often inspect vehicles to make sure they were up to his standards. Billy loved people, enjoyed talking to anyone that would stop and listen and enjoyed solving the world’s problems at the daily Hardee’s breakfast club. He and Thelma enjoyed traveling with Thelma’s brother and sister in law, Dawson and Pat McGuffin and traveled together to all 49 states. More than anything, Billy was a devoted and steadfast husband, father and grandfather. Billy took pride in being a patriotic American and was of the Baptist faith.

Billy is survived by his wife of 64 years, Thelma King; daughters, Kathy Gray, Smithville, April Hawkins, Smithville and Darlene Dickinson (Eric), Houston, TX; brother, Dwight King (Kathy), Smithville; grandchildren, Rachel Knight (Lance), Josh Calhoun, Eli Hawkins, John Rutledge, J.D. Rutledge and Jed Rutledge; great grandchildren, Kain Bertinot, Kailie Taylor, Addie Calhoun, Sawyer Calhoun, Lincoln Rutledge, Ruby Rutledge, J.J. Rutledge, Summer Knight; great great grandchildren, Brailen Taylor and John ?

In addition to his parents, Daniel and Ollie King, Billy is preceded in death by his brother in law and sister in law, Dawson and Pat McGuffin.

Funeral services will be held at 3 PM on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at Cleveland Moffett Funeral Home with Mr. Chris Long officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in New Salem Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Josh Calhoun, Eli Hawkins, J.J. Rutledge, Jed Rutledge, Kain Bertinot, Sawyer Calhoun and Lincoln Rutledge.

Visitation will be held prior to the service on Tuesday from 1 PM until 3 PM at the funeral home.