The Richmond News, August 1, 2025

Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King died peacefully July 25, 2025, at Shirkey Nursing and Rehab in Richmond at age 82, surrounded by her family. A devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Billie was known for her unwavering kindness, devotion to her children and orneriness. She dedicated her life to her family and brought a smile to all who knew her. She is survived by her beloved sons, David King and fiancé Monica Shane of Hardin, and Douglas King and his wife Stacey of Lee’s Summit. She also is survived by her cherished granddaughters and their husbands, EmmaRae (King) Carroll and Zak of Chicago, Grace (King) Carr and Caleb of Raytown, and Kennedy King and fiancé Chad Miller of Lee’s Summit. Other survivors include her adored great-grandsons, Griffin Isaac Carroll and Charles Valentine Carroll, both of Chicago. Her legacy of love and compassion lives on through each of them.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Raymond King; parents, Orville Eugene and Ruby Arlene (Parrish) Wolfe; aunt, Gladys Marie (Wolfe) Warren; sisters, Donna Ruth (Goins) Swartzlander, Sharon Sue (Wolfe) Sneed and Arvalee Joyce Wolfe; and great-granddaughter, Aurora Grace Carroll. Though they are no longer with us, their memory remains forever intertwined with hers.

Billie was born Jan. 23, 1943, in Kansas City to Orville Eugene and Ruby Arlene (Parrish) Wolfe.

She was an athlete and graduated in 1961 from Hardin- Central High School.

She married Charles Raymond King on July 27, 1963.

She was a bookkeeper throughout her career, including years at Mason’s Chevrolet in Lexington, Vaughn’s Appliances/Heating & Cooling and Alvin’s Heating & Cooling in Richmond.

Billie was artistic and enjoyed creating ceramics and painting. She also was interested in genealogy and traced her lineage back more than 1,000 years.

She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, the Red Hat Society, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daughters of Union Veterans. She also was a baptized member of the Hardin Baptist Church.

Her children and grandchildren remember her as a loving mother and grandmother who instilled in them kindness, generosity and an adventurous spirit.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Lavelock Cemetery, c/o Dianne McGuire; 48233 E. 132nd St.; Hardin, MO 64035.

A celebration of life was scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond, with a private family interment at Lavelock Cemetery in Hardin to be held at a later date. Zak Carroll of Chicago will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Billie’s life.

Please share your memories of Billie at www.thurmanfuneralhome. com.