Former city councilman

By Coy O&8217;Neal

The Selma Times-Journal

William &8220;Bill&8221; King, former city councilman and educator, died Friday

after a brief illness. He was 60.

Funeral services are scheduled for noon Thursday at Queen of Peache Church on Washington Street, and burial will be at Live Oak Cemetery.

King taught at Westside Jr. High, now Selma C.H.A.T. Academy, and at Phoenix Alternative School. He was also a parishioner of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in downtown Selma.

King served two terms on the Selma City Council, and was a one-time president pro tem.

King was known and respected by many in the community for his work in the city of Selma.

He was instrumental in the establishment of Martin Luther King, Jr. Street and improved lighting in Ward 6.

King was known for his tenor voice

and sang for opera companies while serving in the military in his earlier years, and sang lead for Handel&8217;s Messiah in Selma.

Nancy Sewell, who served on the council alongside King,

said he was articulate, knowledgeable and skilled at presiding over the council.