Charles Thomas "Billy" King

Charles Thomas “Billy” King was born on November 11, 1931. To his family, neighbors,friends, and the generations of horsemen who knew him, he was Billy—and he always will be.

 He was a true man’s man—a man of few words who was never afraid to say what needed to be said. He worked hard, lived quietly, stayed out of other people’s business, and strongly believed in doing what was right. Within his community, he was known as a good neighbor and a man whose word could be trusted.

 Although quiet by nature, Billy was fiercely protective of his wife, his children and grandchildren, his closest friends, and the community he called home.

 Billy was not merely a cowboy. He was the cowboy.

With a career that spanned well over a half a century, he trained horses and traveled across the United States, showing alongside his wife, Lynda. A longtime member of the National Cutting Horse Association, his influence can be seen not only in the horses he trained and the competitions he won, but also in the horsemen and women who watched him, learned from him, and measured themselves against him. Winning his last open cutting at the age of 85, riding horses and raising cattle into his 90s; Billy lived life his way, doing what he loved.

Billy was the last surviving founding member of the NCHA Augusta Futurity and continued serving on its board until his passing. He never wavered in his commitment to the horse industry.

 Billy loved horses, and horses loved him. He will forever be remembered as the trainer that could make great horses, no matter what stock he was given to work with.

 Billy transitioned peacefully to his heavenly home, on his terms, after spending the morning of July 28, 2026 outside, happily working with family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence Charles and Ila Roberts King, and his son, Clarence Donald King. Billy is survived by his constant companion and wife of 30 years, Lynda Porter King, daughter Tammie Melson (Steve), sons Charles (Lori), Jerry (Liz), David (Ivey), Eric (Sallie), bonus daughter, Shannon Williamson, brother Ertle King, his special sister Helen Miller (Bob), and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren that loved him dearly.

The family will receive friends on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Beth Car Presbyterian Church in Tar Heel. A graveside service is planned for Saturday morning at 10:00 am in the Allen Cemetery in Tar Heel.