Cornelius “Bill” King, 71, of Jacksonville, FL passed away suddenly on Sunday May 14, 2017.  Cornelius was born in Thomasville, GA on July 22, 1945  and was pre-deceased by his parents William C . and Willie Pearl King.  He is survived by his wife Gloria, son Christopher King of Perth Amboy, NJ, daughter Jacquelyn King (Alonzo) of Perth Amboy, NJ and grandchildren Daniel Randolph, Zechariah Randolph and India-Lillie Randolph.  He also leaves to mourn sisters Gwendolyn King Williams, Brenda King Kelly, and Deadre Rollins (Gregory) and his brother Henry King (Ruth).  Additionally, he leaves behind his aunt Winefred Willis (Lester) and uncles Alonzo King (Beatrice) and Terry Clark (Bessie).   Cornelius also had several nieces and nephews including Tiffany Waters (George), Alicia Toles (Dale), Tanisha Bush, Abani Rollins, Gus King, Jerome Williams (Regina), Kelvin Williams, Tarik Rollins, Aaron King and Najja Rollins, and a host of many cousins and friends. 

After graduating from Douglass High in 1963 Cornelius entered the USMC in February 1964 and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.  After leaving the service he entered the five-year apprenticeship program of Local 270 (Local Union 9) Plumbers and Pipefitters.  He remained with Local Union 9 for over 30 years until his retirement to Florida in 2004.

Cornelius was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association of Jacksonville, Florida, a charter member of the Central Jersey Pinseekers, and a member the Jaguar Amateur Golfers Guild (JAGG). 

Cornelius was known for his love of life, his love of family, his love of friends and his love of jazz.  His other interests included golf, woodworking and cooking.  His interest in cooking lead him to earn a Technical Certificate in Culinary Arts from Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) in December 2016.

A memorial celebration is scheduled at St. James Primitive Baptist Church in Thomasville, GA on Sunday May 21, 2017 at 1:00 PM.  Additional services and interment will be conducted by Buckland Funeral Home in Somerville, NJ.

Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, Florida 32073, (904) 264-1233, is serving the family in Florida.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation for the many prayers, acts of kindness, and expressions of sympathy you have offered during this difficult time. We cannot thank you enough. 

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