Billie Jean King died peacefully on July 25, 2025, at Shirkey’s Nursing Home in Richmond, MO, at the age of 82, surrounded by 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, MO, and Douglas King and his wife, Stacey, of Lee’s Summit, MO; her cherished granddaughters and their husbands, EmmaRae (King) Carroll and Zak of Chicago, IL; Grace (King) Carr and Caleb of Raytown, MO; and Kennedy King and fiancé Chad Miller of Lee’s Summit, MO; and her adored great-grandsons, Griffin Isaac Carroll and Charles Valentine Carroll, both of Chicago, IL. Her legacy of love and compassion lives on through each of them.She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Raymond King; her parents, Orville Eugene and Ruby Arlene (Parrish) Wolfe; her aunt, Gladys Marie (Wolfe) Warren; her sisters, Donna Ruth (Goins) Swartzlander, Sharon Sue (Wolfe) Sneed, and Arvalee Joyce Wolfe; and her great-granddaughter, Aurora Grace Carroll. Though they are no longer with us, their memory remains forever intertwined with hers.Billie was born on January 23, 1943, in Kansas City, MO, to Orville Eugene and Ruby Arlene (Parrish) Wolfe. She was an athlete and graduated from Hardin-Central High School in 1961. She married Charles Raymond King on July 27, 1963. She was a bookkeeper throughout her career, including years at Mason’s Chevrolet in Lexington, MO, Vaughn’s Appliances/Heating & Cooling, and Alvin’s Heating & Cooling in Richmond, MO.Billie was artistic and enjoyed creating ceramics and painting. She was also 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 was also 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 Diane McGuire, P.O. Box 605, Hardin, MO 64035.A celebration of life is scheduled for Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond, MO, with a private family interment at Lavelock Cemetery in Hardin, MO, to be held at a later date. Zak Carroll of Chicago, IL, will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Billie’s life. Please share your memories of Billie by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.
Deceased’s Funeral ArrangementsA celebration of life is scheduled for Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond, MO, with a private family interment at Lavelock Cemetery in Hardin, MO, to be held at a later date. Zak Carroll of Chicago, IL, will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Billie’s life.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
