William “Billy” O. King, lovingly known as “Papa”, passed away peacefully at home in South Yarmouth on July 12^th, 2025, at the age of 77, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his devoted wife, Barbara Bent-King, and family until his final moments.

Billy had a deep love for fishing and being out on the water. It was one of the greatest joys of his life. One of his favorite moments involved a fishing trip where he and his wife, Barbara, harpooned an 893-pound tuna in Cape Cod Bay! He proudly shared his passion of fishing with his children and grandchildren, creating memories that will be cherished forever.

Papa spent many years proudly cheering on his grandkids at their sporting events, always showing up on the sidelines with unwavering support and enthusiasm, regardless of how he felt.

He knew how to have fun, whether that was out on the dance floor or skinny dipping in Scargo Lake at midnight.

Born in Hyannis, raised on the northside of Dennis, he was the son of late Thomas and Nonnie King. Billy graduated from Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School, Class of ’66 and then proudly enlisted in the U. S. Army serving in Vietnam. After his return to Cape Cod, he continued to find success in the food industry, a profession he had embarked on at the age of 15 at Dennis Public Market. He was passionate about his career and over the next 40 years in the food business, he developed countless friends and relationships, always bringing a laugh or joke to all he encountered.

He enjoyed cooking, often making fish fresh-off-the-boat, stuffed lobsters, or Thanksgiving turkey. He loved hosting family and friends but usually preferred to be behind the scenes doing the cooking or manning the grill.

Billy was predeceased by his brother Thomas King Jr. He is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara, and his children Christopher and his wife Heidi, Alexis, Zachary, and his stepsons Shawn and Seth Bent. He cherished and found great joy with his eight grandchildren: Grace, Riley, Brady, Tanner, Kailey, Emma, Charleigh, and Zachary Jr., as well as his nieces and nephews.

Billy’s generous spirit extended not only to friends and family, but to anyone he came across in need, whether it was neighbors, strangers, or staff at any of the offices he visited. His absence will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him, and his memory will live on in the countless lives he touched.

In lieu of donations, Billy would want you to honor his memory by paying it forward with a simple act of kindness.
 
Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Avenue, South Yarmouth, on Tuesday, July 29^th from 5-7p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Road, Brewster, on Wednesday, July 30^th at 11a.m., followed by an interment at Chandler Gray Cemetery, 161 Old Mill Way, West Yarmouth.

To good times growing up in Dennis beginning with Cub Scouts at Fred & Mig Mahers on Beach St. Rest in peace. (Bob & Paula)

Billy was a natural force of human nature. He was loving and funny and always willing to feed people. The Karras family surely enjoyed the best of him. Our deepest sympathy for your loss of your Papa.

This is a wonderful tribute to Billy. He was a great Friend and I will miss him.

Rest peacefully Papa. I will miss you so much. Thank you for being a constant in my life, I’m truly grateful to have known you in this life. I’ll miss sending you “pinch and a punch” texts on the first of the month.