Obituary of William King

King, William M., D.O., Age 79, of Philadelphia, PA. peacefully departed this life on Wednesday, May 16, 2007. William King, fondly known as Tippy, spent his formative yrs. in South Philadelphia with his parents, the late Moses and Edna King, and eight siblings. He was educated in the Philadelphia public school system and graduated from Central High School in 1945. He entered the US Army in 1946, rising to the rank of Sergeant Major. In 1949, he enrolled in the University of Michigan where he was presented a Phi Beta Kappa key. By 1952, his remarkable intellect and unparalleled work ethic allowed him to complete his undergraduate studies in only three years; he received his Bachelor's degree with distinction in mathematics, chemistry and physics. In 1958, William began his at the Philadlphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) and received the Doctor of Osteopathy degree in 1962. In 1964, after completing his internship at Metropolitan Hospital, he established his general practice in Germantown. Dr. King distinguished himself as a practitioner of community-based, family medicine. As he expanded the horizons of his practice from his initial office at 54 East Washington LAne, he rendered much needed primary care services to hundreds of Philadelphians as Medical Director of the Gemedco (1976) and City Avenue Medical Centers (1986).

Dr. William King was preceded in death by his brothers Kenneth, Conrad and Douglas. He leaves to mourn with cherished memories: his companion Nina Silverman; his daughter, Renee Hughes; his sons, Maarifa Roho and Eric King; one brother, Aldrich King; four sisters, Theda Rodrigues, Trummell Lassiter, Wanda Egea and Carole Ferrell; four grandsons, one great grandson; two great granddaughters, and many other relatives and friends whose lives he has enriched.