Merle Gene King, 66, of Hattiesburg, MS, died March 18, 2017, at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Collins, MS.

Mr. King was born October 27, 1950 in Sioux City, Iowa.  He was retired from Big Thicket National Preserve, part of the National Park Service after 25 years of service. He served in the Marine Corp during Vietnam Era and was a member of Memorial Baptist Church in Port Arthur, TX with ties to Immanuel Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, MS.

He was preceded in death by parents, Grover Cleveland King and Edna Qualls King.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Stone King of Hattiesburg, MS; one son, Joseph King, (Joanna) of Hattiesburg, MS; one daughter, Heather King Williams (Chuck) of Port Neches, TX; his mother-in-law, Rosie Crenshaw of Port Arthur, TX; grandchildren, Chase Williams of Port Neches, TX, Anna, Addie, Asher and Abel King of Hattiesburg, MS; one brother, Dennis King of Lincoln, NE; two sisters, Elaine Fuller (Ed) of Hazel Green, AL and Vivian Rush of The Woodlands, TX; brothers-in-law, Wesley Stone, (Beverly) of Nashville, AR and Kenneth Jordan of Kirbyville, TX; sister-in-law, Kay Hooper of Port Neches, TX; a host of nieces and nephews; and extended family, Rem, Emy, R.B., Jen, R.J., Kendal, Mollie, Eden and Ames Batuyong of Groves,TX.

A memorial service will be held at Memorial Baptist Church in Port Arthur, TX on Thursday, April 6, 2017. Visitation will be 4-5:30 p.m. with service beginning at 5:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.