WILBUR EARL KING

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Wilbur Earl King was born on Aug. 2, 1947, in Manning, a son of the late Frank Earl King and Ophelia DuPree King. He died on Saturday, June 2, 2018, at University of Miami Hospital, Miami.

Wilbur joined Williams Chapel Christen Church and was baptized at an early age. He was educated in the Clarendon County school system, attending Wilson Elementary and Manning Training School. Wilbur played the position of linebacker and running back for the Manning Training School Tigers' football team.

In 1964, the family relocated to Miami and settled in the Richmond Heights community. Wilbur attended Mays Senior High School and graduated in 1966. He was drafted in 1968 and chose the Marine Corps for his military experience. He graduated from basic training at Parris Island on July 18, 1968, and began his tour of duty in Vietnam in October 1968. Wilbur was injured on April 13, 1969. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for acts of valor and meritorious service in combat and the distinguished Purple Heart for combat injury.

This Vietnam veteran went on to attend Florida Memorial University and engaged in several business ventures which included a trucking company, lawn maintenance and landscaping services, convenience store management, a night club and security services.

Wilbur married Linda Briggs on Jan. 31, 1999, and they resided in Pinewood for many years.

He was always willing to assist others. He consistently assisted with the Contractors Resource Center's Annual Turkey Drive, which fed thousands of families during the Thanksgiving holidays. This caring spirit prompted him in 2011 to become a charter member of the Elks Lodge, South Dade Lodge 2870.

Wilbur's military service and life experiences earned him entrance into the Official Congressional Record and to be permanently placed in the Library of Congress, which was facilitated by Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson, United States House of Representatives, 24th District, State of Florida.

Wilbur leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Linda Briggs King; children, Tangela King Gunn of Chicago, Katrina King Davis of Austin, Texas, Trentin Thames, Chris Thames and Wilbur Earl Thames, both of Manning, and Jeffrey Brown of Miami; stepson, Edward (Wanda) Dawns of Newport News, Virginia; godchildren, Shawn McFadden of Manning, Raheem Briggs of Columbia and Brittany Briggs of Pinewood; siblings, Juliet King, Elsie King Hamler and Paul (Shirley) Severance of Miami; aunts, Lou Ann Keels and Clara (James) McCants of Miami; aunt-in-law, Mary Edith Dupree of Atlanta; uncle, Willie (Barbara) Dupree of Miami; mother-in-law, Camillia Briggs of Pinewood; sisters-in-law, Beverly Briggs (Elijah) and Afelia Briggs of Pinewood and Georgia Mae Briggs of Hartford, Connecticut; brother-in-law, Kenneth Briggs of Pinewood; special friend, Stephanie Norton of Miami; and a host of sorrowing grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services for Mr. King will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at William Chapel Christian Church, 1072 Forest Trial, Manning, with the Rev. Emanuel Evans, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at the churchyard cemetery.

These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC, Manning.