Bernard Andrew King Jr.

Robert A. Waters Funeral Home

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | October 28, 2021

Bernard Andrew King Jr., 84, died October 17, 2021. He was born on March 4, 1937 in Edgewater, Ala. to Bernard Sr. and Louise King. He was the second oldest of nine children. Bernard was preceded in death by his siblings Myrtle, Edith, Lillie, John Douglas, Melvin and Bruce. He is survived by siblings Virgil and Jacqueline.

Bernard accepted Christ at a young age and he moved with his family to Welch, West Virginia where he spent most of his childhood doing “Country Boy” things, as he liked to say.

Upon graduating high school, he decided to go into a trade, becoming a journeyman welder for J&L Steel, where he worked for 13 years. He was the first African-American to be enrolled and complete the Journeyman Welder Apprenticeship program. He then took up a career at Chrysler in 1969, where he worked in maintenance as a welder. As an employee for Chrysler for 35 years, he was very active in the union and showed his entrepreneurial nature by starting a small coffee business for the employees.

Bernard was a member of the Masonic and later El Hassa Shrine in 1974. As a young man, Bernard was married and from that union, he had two daughters, Yvonne and Brenna. Later, Bernard joined in matrimony with Shirley Jean Coon, who was the love of his life, for nearly 49 years prior to her passing. From that union, Bernard and Shirley two daughters were born Sharna Jeanine and Bethany Ashley.

Bernard was a charismatic man towards whom people always gravitated. He was known by many nicknames but responded to them all. To the family he was Buddy, to friends he was Bernie, at work they called him King, at bowling and his CB handle, was King Tut, and to his baby daughter, he was Booboo. He was always full of stories and jokes, making him popular among friends and even strangers wherever he happened to be. His jokes will live on and are still told amongst friends and family. Among other things, Bernard loved to travel with his wife, particularly on cruise ships, where he would always make new friends and even long term relationships.

Bernard King was a fighter. He would say he loved his family and devoted his life to ensure that they would have every opportunity in life. Because he always gave his best in his final years he would often say, “I have no regrets”. He knew was loved by his daughters and he cherished them deeply.

Bernard leaves to cherish his memory his daughters Yvonne King, Brenna King, Sharna King Baker (Evan), and Bethany King (Bob); grandchildren Evan and Lauren Baker, Franklin Chesney, Bethenia Nolin (Jameson), and Melissa Squire along with 4 great-grandchildren; siblings Virgil King and Jacqueline Wright along with a plethora of cousins, nieces/nephews and friends.

Arrangements are in charge of Robert A. Waters Funeral Home Inc.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bernard, please visit our floral store.

Graveside Service
Wednesday
October 27, 2021
10:00 AM
Round Hill Cemetery
2131 Round Hill Church R
Elizabeth, PA 15037

Originally published October 28, 2021.

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