"Dear Sherry, I was so sorry to read about Bill in the paper this morning. I want you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time."
In loving memory of
William Z. King
December 31, 1969 - December 31, 1969
William Z. "Bill" King, longtime head of the Riviera Club, passed away on July 25 following a stroke. King, who was born in Elwood, Ind., worked at the Riviera Club from 1941-2001, retiring as president and general manager. A memorial service is scheduled for 1:00pm on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at the First Baptist Church of Indianapolis at 8600 N. College Ave.
He was hired in 1941 by James H. Makin, who founded the Riviera Club with his wife Ethel and other friends, after Makin heard King's presentation at Boy's State. That lucky meeting led to a lifelong career at and love for the Riviera Club. He began working at the pool's front desk while learning the club's business and went on to serve as the club's second in command until the death of Mrs. Makin, when King became president and general manager.
While working at Rivi, King met his future wife, Sherry McDowell, a lifeguard at the club. They were married Oct. 31, 1948. They both worked at the club and became familiar figures to generations of youngsters and families who frequented Rivi.
King graduated from Butler University in 1948, with a business degree. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and was voted Sigma Chi Alum of the Year by the Butler Chapter in 1972. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Air Force as a decoder based in Greenland during the war.
King is survived by his wife, Sherry; daughter, Leslie; son, Mel (Cathy); grandsons Buddy, Bob and Tom King; granddaughter, Mindy Mueller Marzolf (Eric); and sister, Shirley K. Myers. He was preceded in death by his eldest daughter, Linda K. Mueller (Bill). He also was very close to his nieces and nephews - Dr. John L. Myers (Jo Ellen); Betsy Myers Plymate (Todd); Ginny Myers Shaffer (Wayne) and Dr. William Myers (Krisce) - and their children.
King was born Aug. 17, 1923, in Elwood, Ind., and moved to Indianapolis when he accepted the job at Rivi. He was a member of the Scottish Rite, the Murat Shrine and a 32nd degree mason at the Calvin Prather Lodge. He also was a former member of the Universal Club, American Legion (Holiday Legion); Jaycees; and the Irvington Dance Club.
The family would like to extend thanks and gratitude to the staff at St. Vincent Hospice for the compassionate and loving care they gave to Bill and the wonderful support provided to the family.
You are invited to visit www.leppertmortuary.com to leave a personal message, sign the guestbook or make donations in Bill?s name to the Riviera Club Capital Improvement Fund, 5640 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis, IN 46220.
Tributes
"Dear King Family, It was a pleasure and a privilege to share in Bill's care. I am sorry for your loss. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all.Kathy BumpSt. Vincent Hospice Volunteer"
"Sherry, very sorry to learn about Bill's passing-think of you two often at the Riviera especially at our Republican meetings and miss you-regret I will be out of town Saturday but will be thinking of you"
"Dear Sherry, Leslie and Mel,We were saddened in hearing of Bill's death. We have nothing but good memories when we think of Bill. Sherry, you and Bill watched our children grow up at the Rivi and we always appreciated the way you both made sure our family was safe. Your family will be remembered in our thoughts and prayers. "
"What a wonderful person. I have a lot of fond memories working at Rivi under "Mr. King" (Bill). First as a Diswasher, then at the front desk in the summer and the dinning room. He helped shape a lot of who I am now as an adult. I was always amazed at how great of a people person he was. "
"I was sorry to learn about Bill's passing. You two were always thought of as "Mr. and Mrs. Riviera", and still do. I always think of you when I pass the old King house on College. My prayers are with you and your family...Sue"
"Aunt Sherry, Leslie and Mel,We will always have wonderful memories of Uncle Bill and will keep him close to our hearts. "
"With thanks for his many years of dedication andoutstanding service to the Riviera Club."
"I grew up in the Riviera along with Bill and Sherry. I think I even guarded under you in the late 40's,The last I saw you was at the Andre Rieu concert when I was fortunate to sit behind you, and we conversed.Bill was a good manager, but he had a good assistant too."
"The King Family has known my family for 60 plus years. My grandparents Elsie and E,P. Bayless were charter members of Rivi. Their son John was "special" and at Rivi alot. Mr and Mrs King were very kind to him thru the years. My Mother Mary spent many fun times there with my dad and after when she would come to play Bingo.. My brother George even called Bingo for awhile. My sister Beverly also loved to swim there and was "special". Everyone is now in Heaven except for George and myself. I have nothing but good memories about Mr. King and his wife. May the good memories keep you comfortable as you try to adjust to life without Mr. King."
"Dear "Aunt Sherry",Words cannot express the sorrow we feel for you right now. We only hope that the memories of the wonderful life you and "Uncle Bill" shared will carry you through this difficult time. You know we have truly always considered you our aunt because you have always been the sister that Mom never had. I have always heard the wonderful stories that you all have shared; and I remember so many of my own. I feel priveleged to have known Bill and you and your family. I love you all. In our deepest sympathy, Love, Rhonda and Dick Feldman"
"Bill King was a great person. He lead with the characteristics of being kind, thoughtful, and caring. He assembled a Rivi team that made it a wonderful place to visit, feel safe, have fun and relax for generations of families. We who have known him are blessed. He will be missed. Bill McLane,Jr."
"Dear Sherry, Leslie, and Mel: We were so very sorry to hear about Bill. What a wonderful life he had, and what a big hole he will leave. We fondly remember all the great times we had in Arden, with you as neighbors, as classmates, and as babysitters, and, of course, all the wonderful years at Rivy when David and Karen were growing up. We hope all your memories of Bill can help fill the void. Our hearts and our prayers are with you and your families.Bill and Marla"
"Sherry and family: We were saddened to hear of Bill's passing. We have fond memories of the many years we spent at Rivi working in various positions and our friendship with Bill and all those associated with the Club. We send our deepest sympathies to you all at this time of loss. We are thinking of you and wish we could be there to express our concern more personally."
"Sherry...Bill was my first "boss" when I began working at the Rivi in 1956! He was a true gentleman, and I have so many fond memories of working with you and Bill for 5 years or so. Remember well, when I and several other guys painted your home, near Butler!Take good care....my thoughts and prayers are with Bill, you and your family! Thanks for the memories!Dick Stegemeier"
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"The King family are in our thoughts & prayers during this time of loss. We have such great memories:The Riviera, Dinner with our neighbors in Arden, Selling & servicing your vehicles...we lost a great person! The memories will last forever! "
"My thoughts and prayers go to the family of William King. I was acquainted with him through the Masonic Order. As a Freedom Team Salute Ambassador, I have great admiration for Bill's courage and unselfishness in serving our country during WW II. He continued to give of himself to the community throughout his life and deserves our praise and gratitude. ---- A fellow lodge brother and veteran, Rudy Nylund"
"Dear Mrs. King, Leslie and Mel,I am saddened to hear about Mr. King's passing. He was a great person and an every day common guy. He left lasting, positive impressions in the lives of many of us who worked under his supervision at Rivi. He was my first actual boss and you always worked with him and not for him. He showed me how to remain involved and get the job done-no matter what.I speak for many of us when I say thank you for the personal interest he always displayed in shaping our character and developing our life long skills. There is no one in the city of Indianapolis that has made a larger, more important contribution in the lives of so many. I will always remember and appreciate him.May God Bless Your Family,Randy O'Malia"
"To Buddy, Bob, & Tom... it was always a special treat to see your grandparents at tennis matches. It was very clear how much they thought of you and how much enjoyment you brought them. On behalf of the BCHS community, our deepest sympathies are with you as you grieve your loss. It's never easy."
"Dear Shari,We were so saddened to hear of Bill's passing. He will be missed."
"Sherry,I felt very close to both you and Bill. At one time Bill helped me when I was having Angina pain. He too was having heart trouble.I always wanted to visit you. I planned to. I never got it done.So goes my life these days."
"Dear Leslie and family,We are so sorry about the passing of your Dad. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely yours,Kathy & Gordy"
"Dear King Family, Bill hired me for my first job in the beachstand. He was a good man to work for and he will be missed . Susan and I will keep him in our prayers. "
"Sherry and Family,We are so sorry for your loss and know you are in our prayers during this sad time. Please know our thoughts are with you and your lovely family.Sympathy,Moneeca, Jennine, Pat, BarbaraBeauty Salon"
"Dearest Sherry and family, I will miss Mr. King's humor, his wisdom, his kindness, his warmth, yet they live in the center of my heart and will always. As you all know, Mr. King is a premier person. He touched the lives around him with his smile and care. Though mere words can never say enough at times like this, please know you're thought of and your loss is one that many share. With love and prayers, Cathy Birsfield"
"Dear Leslie and Mrs. King, My heart is saddened by Mr King's passing. My memories of him are of such a happy and adventurous man. I remember you both touring St Petersburg,Russia, Mrs. King. What a trip! Keep your happy memories close. You are in my prayers. "
"Mr. King (or "WZ" as we often referred to him, not in his presence), along with Gene Lee, Eva Berglund, and Mike Fogarty played a huge part in the upbringing of myself and many of my peers as we swam and worked at Riviera through high school and college years. Mr. King even gave me a place to live (in the rec building baby pool observation room) after my family moved to Iowa in 1968. With Mr. King's death, an era has ended. I will miss him and "I 'spect" the city of Indianapolis will as well.John Diercks"
"I am very saddened to hear of Mr. King's passing. He was a kind and generous man and he will be greatly missed. Aside from being a member I worked for Mr. King for several years. I have very fond memories of my working years at Rivi. The month of May was always a lot of fun because you never knew what you'd be doing each day. Mr King might hand you some pink and yellow paint and a long roller to do decks, some green paint for benches and arches, a roll of webbing to fix chairs,or one time he gave me a mask and snorkel to feel around for any leaks in the pool! He treated us very well, taught us work ethic by example, and made us feel important even as 15 year old kids. It was disappointing to find out later that not all "bosses" were like Mr. King! My thoughts and prayers are with your family."
"Dear Mrs King, Leslie and Mel,I was deeply saddened by the passing of Mr King. He was a very special person and a terrific friend to my father (David Ballinger) for many years. Mr King was a important person in my life as a child, teenager and then as a mom. I feel very blessed to have been able to have worked for him at the Rivi. He taught me to have a strong work ethic and to always find a way to enjoy your job, no matter what it was. I feel I have carried that with me to this day. His laugh, his smile and his love for the Rivi are some of the things I remember the most. Mrs King, thank you for sharing him with hundreds of kids and their families throughout the years. He has touched many lives. I always felt at home and safe at the Rivi, and you and he were a big part of that. I will keep you and your family in my prayers and hope that you will find peace in knowing he was loved and will be missed by many. I am sure that he is sitting with my dad enjoying a big glass of iced tea in heaven right now. They are smiling and watching down on their families together. Telling jokes and laughing. Just like old times.....With much love to your family, Kelly (Ballinger) Cook, Ashley Tamarri, Jenni Tamarri, Katie Tamarri and Kyle Tamarri"
"Dear King family,We were very saddend to learn of Mr. King's passing. Our memories of seeing him at Rivi will always make us smile! Elizabth and Connor have some great stories about "Grandpa Mr. King" at the pool. He touched so many lives thoughout the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.Love, Barbara, Liz and Connor Simonson"
"Dear King Family,Bill King was one of the finest people I have ever known, and I remember him fondly. My family joined the Rivi in 1944, and the kids from our neighborhood spend practically every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day at the pool. Bill was always there, and made things hum for Mr. Makin in a kind and cheerful way. During the high school years, we continued to hang out at the club, and I was fortunate to work for Bill as a lifeguard during two summers while a student at Butler.I had the deepest respect for him then, and will always remember him as deeply involved and committed to that wonderful institution we grew up with. Bill, thank you very much for all you contributed to our early years. It was a privilege knowing you, and to your family, my deepest sympathy and warm regards as you honor this wonderful man."
"Sherry--I was saddened to learn of Bill's passing and send you and your family my deepest condolences. It was my greatest pleasure to work for Bill in the "Beachstand" and in the Gym in the 1950's. I learned much from him that has served me so well in later life. He was a gentleman and fine boss. Paul"
"Dear Family, I offer my sympathy in the lost of your loved one. John 5:28,28, speaks of a time when all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those that did good to a resurrection of life. Rev.21:3,4, also speaks of a time when pain and death will be no more. If you would like to learn more about the hope for dead one you can contact me or any Jehovah's Witness"
"Hi PeopleHow are you doing?"
"I just want to offer my deepest gratitude for the King family. My uncle was John Sanders, and I was one of the Heavrin Kids that pretty much grew up at Rivi. I have so many memories of my time at the Club. There were ten of us kids and Mr. King treated us like we were his most important guests when we visited each time. Thank you for allowing some poor relatives of one of your workers to enjoy and experience all the wonders of Rivi. You made growing up there so special."