William King

William Samuel “Sam” King passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2020. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, November 7th at 10:00am at the Nazarene Church in Independence, Kansas. Visitation will be Friday, November 6th at Pott Chapel 2:00pm-7:00pm, with family greeting friends 5:00-7:00pm. Burial will follow at the Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the children’s education, checks can be made out to Julie King and left with Potts Chapel.

William Samuel “Sam” King, was born August 15, 1965, in Neosho, Missouri, to Bill King Jr. and Carole Jo (Staubus) King. He moved to Independence when he was 3 years old and lived there the remainder of his life. On June 11, 1994, he married Julie (Kirks) King in Independence and she survives at the home. They were married 26 years and welcomed four children, whom he loved dearly.

Sam was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals. He played all the city rec sports and his dad was his coach from T-ball through little league. His favorite thing ever was Fantasy Football and he had several teams in different leagues; draft day was his favorite day of the year. As a child he loved going to visit his grandparents and cousins. The highlights of those trips were going to the rodeo, riding horses, and fishing in the farm pond. He also looked forward to the checkers games with his Grandpa King. Sam graduated from IHS in 1983, from Tabor College in 1987, and from Pittsburg State University in 1988. A young entrepreneur, Sam spent summers working in the family’s fireworks stand and operated a lawn mowing service he started in when he was ten. This early introduction to business led him to run his own business, King Distributing, his entire adult life.

In addition to his wife Julie, Sam is survived by his four children whom he called his greatest accomplishments in life: Connor William of Wichita, Cooper Samuel, Gracie Carole, and Carter Chet Merritt of the home. He is also survived by his father, Bill King (Dolly); his sister, Susan Marchant (Tim), his brother, Steve King (Michelle); father and mother-in-law Bob and Laura Kirks; brother and sister-in-law Ron and Cheri Jefferson; brother and sister-in-law Rod and Cyndi Kirks; nephews Jared Jefferson (Teresa), Justin Winkler (Jay), Bradly Kirks(Ashton), Anthony Kirks(Angie) and Gabe King; and nieces Amber Jefferson and Nora King. He also loved and was loved by his great nieces and nephews.

Sam was preceded in death by his mother, Carole Jo King, and his grandparents.