Wesley King

Wesley Wes King, USAF Ret, an accomplished country music musician and band manager, age 82, of Hondo, Texas, formerly of Abilene, Texas and Wolfe Co., Kentucky, passed into the hands of our Lord Thursday April 17, 2014, after extended illness. Visitation will be 6 till 8 PM, Friday, April 25, 2014 at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 US 277 South. Funeral Service will be 2:30 PM, Saturday, April 26, 2014 in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel with Norm McVey officiating. Interment will follow the service at Elmwood Memorial Park.

Born February 2, 1932, in Mary, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Wesley I. King and Anna Belle Taulbee. He was preceded in death by former wife Peggy King and children Peggie King, Richard Lee King and granddaughter Tammy Adams. He is survived by children George King, Wes King, Patti King, and Cindy Calonge as well as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and other extended family.

Raised among the hills surrounding Bloody Creek in Wolfe Co. Kentucky, he was known as Billy to childhood friends and family and where he began perfecting his guitar pickin. He played for the high school basketball team and stayed in shape by running the 2 and I2 miles to meet the bus each morning, catching up to his cousin and brother who had started out long before him. Wesley was VP of his graduating class of 1952.

In 1953 he joined the USAF where he honorably served 26 years ending his career as Material Support Superintendent 96th Supply Squadron supporting the 96th Bombardment Wing Dyess AFB. Wesleys military career served a dual purpose by introducing military and civilian country music fans from San Antonio to the DMZ, Ankara Turkey to Vegas and Abilene to areas surrounding the Big Country to his outstanding talent on lead guitar and proficiency as band manager. His talent and winning smile caught the eye and ear of noted Abilene musicians while their band member as well as musicians within bands overseas such as James Day and Charlie C. At one venue, Western Swing Legend Bob Wills took the stage and pointed to Wesley indicating he should stay right where he was and keep on playing He thoroughly enjoyed his time performing with, and while leading his own bands for, Big Country famed friends such as Curtis Caffey and L.C. Agnew.

He always knew Jesus as his Savior and was baptized by USAF Chaplin while serving in Goose Bay. In 2013 he recommitted himself to the Methodist Church in Hondo, Texas. Wesleys financial frugalness allowed him to give to numerous churches in the Big Country and Hondo as well as offerings of sound equipment and his talent. He helped many other individuals. He was a tough and entertaining father resulting in children all of whom pursued higher education with careers in the military, law enforcement, music, technology and US patent attainment. He was a spoiling PaPa to his grandchildren and great grandchildren who are pursuing or have pursued higher education supporting careers in technology, real estate, communications, music, teaching, social work, PharmD and directing.

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Friday, April 25, 2014
6:00 til 8:00 PM

Service

Chapel Service

Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Saturday, April 26, 2014
02:30 PM

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606