James Willis "JW" King

James Willis “JW” King, 84, of Florence, SC, passed away on Monday, October 25, 2021.  He was born in Chesterfield, SC, a son of the late Arthur Ellison and Lula Mae Polson King.  In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by six brothers, Carvin King, L. Gilbert King, Thurman King, Floyd King, Ted King, and Jack King; four sisters, Margaret Yates, Esther Mae Smith, Sara Hopper and Juanita Gulledge; and his beloved step-mother, Pauline Davis King. 

Mr. King served in the SC National Guard for 35 years, reaching the rank of Master Sergeant.  He then worked for 30 years for the Highway Department in Chesterfield, SC, and for 4 years as the lunchroom manager at North Mullins Primary School.  Throughout his life, Mr. King was a member of Shiloh United Methodist Church in Chesterfield, Mullins First Baptist Church, Florence Baptist Temple and Southside Baptist Church.  He loved to cook for others, especially baking cakes and he often catered special events.  While serving in the National Guard, he prepared Christmas dinner for over 500 people each year.  He loved spending time with his grandchildren, Joseph and Savannah.  Mrs. Pauline King raised him after his mother died when he was only 7 years old and she was so good and so special to him.  His loving wife of 35 years, Patricia, was a caregiver to him for the last twelve years of his life. 

Mr. King is survived by his wife, Patricia McDaniels King; a brother, Bill King of Augusta, GA; step-daughter, Jackie Smith (Doug) of Florence; three grandsons, Joseph Grant (Sarah) of Statesville, NC, Lasan Han (Emily) of Sierra Vista, AZ and June Han of Philadelphia, PA; granddaughter, Savannah Smith of Florence; and two great-granddaughters, Sadie Jean Grant of Statesville, NC and Lael Han of Sierra Vista, AZ.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, October 29, 2021, in the Chapel of Cain Calcutt Funeral Home with burial to follow at Devotion Gardens in Mullins, SC.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 PM, just prior to the service at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tans Bay Baptist Church, 3919 S. Irby Street, Florence, SC 29505.

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