William T. “Bill” King, M.D., 87, passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at the University of Kansas Health System – Great Bend Campus. He was born August 1, 1935, in Fairbury, Neb. to Robert E. King, Sr. and Helen (Throop) King. He married Mary Ella Miller on June 28, 1959, in Lawrence, Kan. She passed away under his loving care June 11, 2011.
A resident of Great Bend for almost 60 years, Dr. King was the Chief of Staff and OB/GYN of Central Kansas Medical Center; as well as the Deputy Coroner for Barton County. During his 30 years of OB/GYN practice, Dr. King delivered 3,699 babies and performed 4,100 surgeries.
Dr. King was an Eagle Scout and a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he was a Deacon, Elder and Treasurer. He and Mary served as National Skippers for Presbyterian Mariners and led many Mariners in Mission work camps. In 1996, they served 10 weeks as medical missionaries in Pakistan.
Dr. King was very active in the community. He was a member of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, Great Bend Country Club, and Barton County Health Department Health Advisory Council. He served on the board of directors for Central Kansas Court Appointed Special Advocates, Great Bend Library, and Barton County Historical Society. He was also District Governor for Rotary District #5670, President and Secretary of Great Bend Rotary, and chaplain of the Sons of the American Revolution Prairie Minutemen chapter.
Dr. King enjoyed playing golf, snow skiing, cheering for the Jayhawks, traveling all seven continents of the world and sharing with his family, colleagues and friends. He especially enjoyed family ski Christmases in Winter Park, Col. He held his family very close to his heart and was very proud of all of them. His favorite title was “Grandpa King.”
Survivors include, his children, Carolee Hoffman and husband Scott of Basehor, Russell King, M.D. and wife Susan Clevenger of Overland Park, Pamela Tracy and husband Kenny of Great Bend and Roberta King, PhD. and husband Louis Soloff of Narragansett, RI; two brothers, Bob King, Jr. of Washington, Kan. and Rick King of Sellersburg, Ind.; six grandchildren, Justin Tracy (Nicole), Katlyn Tracy (Josh Wiley), Ryan King, Evan King, Robin King, Curtis Soloff; five great grandchildren, Jack, Logan and Ella Tracy, and Logan and Finley Wiley; and his special friend, Margie Nairn of Great Bend. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Mary.
Visitation will be held from Noon to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at First Presbyterian Church in Great Bend, with Pastor Dick Ogle presiding. Interment will be at 1:00 Thursday, February 2, 2023, in the Acacia Garden of Memorial Park Cemetery, 1517 E 15th St., Lawrence, KS 66044.
Memorials have been designated to the Dr. Bill King Foundation for Healthcare at Barton Community College, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.