Obituary of William Heilman King

William Heilman King, 94, of Port Charlotte, passed away February 18, 2012. He was born June 30, 1917, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, son of the late William B. and Leona (Koechler) King. He was a graduate of Sharon, PA High School, Westminister College in New Wilmington, PA, with a bachelor of Public School Music, and the University of Michigan with a masters in Music Education. He taught and supervised school music in Pennsylvania for a total of 37 years. In addition he led a band at Edinboro, PA State Teachers College. Under his direction, the male glee club in Albion, PA, won second place honors in a statewide contest. He started a chapter of Modern Music Masters in the Albion, PA schools. He served two terms on their national executive committee. THe Albion Chapter had a band exchange program, known as Bands Across the Border, with a high school in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Bill's marching bands participated in many college band days in western Pennsylvania. He held memberships in United Steel Workers of America, American Federation of Musicians, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (served as Officer) and National Education Association. He was a life member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association Retired and Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees. During WWII, he served in the United States Marine Corp as a field musician. He was selected to play Taps at the official Pearl Harbor Memorial Service on December 7, 1945. Through the years in Pennsylvania, along with his teaching duties, Bill worked as a choir director, a big band and combo musician, a steelworker, highway construction worker and in a railroad yard. After moving to Port Charlotte, in 1979, he joined the choir at First Presbyterian Church in Port Charlotte, later serving as church administrator. He joined the Curtural Center Chorus and became a charter member of the Charlotte Chorale. He served First Presbyterian Church of Punta Gorda as an interm choir director after which he became choir director at Pilgrim United Church of Christ for nine years. He later directed the Pilgrim Church Bell Choir. During his years of service at the church, he played piano at many services, substituting for the regular church organist. He was preceded in death by his wife Mildred King in 2010, following more than 70 years of marriage. A grandson, Cpl. Russell Culbertson, was killed in 2006 while serving in Irag, and four infant daughters. He is survived by his loving family, his daughters Anna Marie King of Boca Raton, Fl; and Denise (Mrs. Russell) Culbertson of Amity, PA; as well as a grandson William Culbertson, granddaughter Elizabeth (Mrs. Dominick) DeStasio and two great granddaughters Paige and Hailey DeStasio The family will receive friends on Friday, February 24, 2012, from 10-11 AM at the Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, 9400 Indian Springs Road, a service to celebrate Bill's life will be held at 11 AM at the funeral home. On Sunday, February 26, 2012, at 2:00 PM, another service to celebrate his life will be held at the Pilgrim Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Rd. Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 www.woundedwarriorproject.org