Roy King

Roy Otto King passed away in Houston, Texas on Tuesday November 9, 2010 at the age of 88. Roy was a Roswell resident in Houston for cancer treatment.
Roy was born in Roswell on March 12, 1922, the 3rd of 7 children born to Paul and Ella King. Roy grew up in East Grand Plains, was a 1940 graduate of Roswell High School, and lived in the Roswell area for most of his life.
Roy enlisted with the US Military on December 8, 1941 and served in the 505th paratroop infantry regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II. Roy participated in 4 combat jumps Sicily, Italy, Normandy, and The Netherlands and also saw action in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Bronze Star NaplesFoggia campaign in Italy and the Purple Heart. Roy also received Presidential Unit Citations for service in SainteMreglise and Nijmegen, The French Croix de guerre with palm, The Military Order of William the highest military honor awarded by The Netherlands, the French Fourragre, and the Belgian Fourragre among other combat related awards. He retired from the US Air Force in December 1962 with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant.
Roy married Audre Latimer King in Puerto Rico in 1953 when stationed at Ramey Air Force Base, and had two children Candace Audre King and Roy Otto King, Jr., both of whom graduated from Roswell Goddard High School.
After retiring from the military, Roy also enjoyed a 20 year career with the Chaves County Roswell School District working in administration and responsible for busing, food service, and building maintenance. In retirement Roy enjoyed golf, was an active memberofficer of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and enjoyed his mealslunch at the JOY Center, supper at Dennys and weekend chiles rellenos at the Royal Crown.
Roy is survived by his wife Audre, two children Candy and Roy Jr., five grandchildren Joseph Roy King, Jason Perry Stegall, Kara Michelle King, Kacie Marie King, and Michael Eric Stegall, three brothers Melvin, Warren, and Lloyd, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. The funeral service will be at the First United Methodist Church 200 N. Pennsylvania at 2:00 PM on Tuesday November 16th with burial afterward at the family plot in Hagerman. Friends and family are welcomed to celebrate Roys memory as a Husband, Father, Friend, and Patriot.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory. An online registry can be accessed at www.ballardfuneralhome.com

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