VALLEY — Mr. Willie Lee King was born December 24, 1940 to Homer and Lucille King who preceded him in death as well as his only sister, Allene Phillips. He gained his angel wings on Sunday December 17, 2017 at the LaFayette Extended Care.

Willie was a lifelong resident of Valley, Ala. and worked for WestPoint Pepperell. He was a member of the Lanett First Baptist Church and served as a greeter. Willie is best known as the “shoe shine” man at Wright’s Barber Shop in downtown Lanett. He was an avid cowboy movie watcher. He loved old cowboy movies and watched them all day every day.

Willie was a member of the Valley Rescue Squad and an avid league bowler until his decline in health. He loved to travel to Cherokee, N.C. with his friend, Thomas Caldwell, and always had a great story to tell upon his return. He was proud of his Cherokee Indian heritage, and everyone who met him heard the stories. Up until his decline in health he loved to visit friends and should you go to visit him, you best watch out for “Kitty” his sidekick, who lived with him in his little house in Valley.

He is survived by his longtime caregiver and guardian, Susan Harmon; his devoted neighbors, David and Deborah Maddux, and his long time friend, Thomas Caldwell.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 22, 2017 at 11 a.m. CST with visitation one hour prior to the service at Jeff Jones Funeral Home with Bro. Ronnie Jordan officiating. A private burial to follow at the Oakwood Cemetery in Lanett. Pallbearers will be David Maddux, Thomas Caldwell, Tommy Weldon, Scott Hamil, Reid House, Darrell Bishop, Mike Hunt, and Jerrold Yates.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the Chattahoochee Humane Society in Willie’s honor.  On line condolences may be sent to jeffjonesfuneralhome.com.

Jeff Jones Funeral Home, LaFayette, is directing.