Steven Wilbur King

Steven Wilbur King of St. George peacefully passed away at the Southern Utah Veterans Home on May 17, 2025, at the age of 80, with family at his bedside.

Born on January 8, 1945, in Los Angeles, California, he was the youngest of three children and the only son of Wilbur and Leona King, joining his two sisters, Diane and Sharon. At the time of his birth, the family resided in Inglewood. He took immense pride in sharing that his birthday coincided with that of Elvis Presley born a decade earlier, which likely explains his deep appreciation for The King's music.

As a boy, Steven enjoyed being a Boy Scout and could quickly recite the scout motto with impressive speed well into his senior years. He developed a passion for cars during his teens and joined a car club, sharing this interest with neighborhood friends. In 1962, he graduated from Morningside High School and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at 17, serving for four years as a sentry dog handler with the 81st Air Police Squadron stationed in England.

During his time at RAF Woodbridge and RAF Bentwaters, he met Pamela Smith, a British citizen serving in the RAF. They tied the knot in 1965 and welcomed their daughter, Nadine, in 1966 before returning to California after his military service concluded. They settled in Gardena, and by 1969, their family expanded to five with the birth of their daughter, Lisa, and son, Steven.

Upon returning to the U.S., Steven sought a new career and began tool and die making at his father's company, L&L Tool and Die. He later refined his metalworking skills at Lockheed Martin and Allied Pacific. With his father's support, he founded King-Tek Wire EDM on April 1, 1981. Steven earned a solid reputation in the metal manufacturing sector by consistently delivering outstanding quality and meeting deadlines no matter what it took to satisfy his customers. He sold the business in 1997 and retired at age 52.

Divorced in 1983, Steven eventually remarried in 1987 to Valerie Erickson in a small wedding held in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Their paths first crossed when Valerie worked as a tool and die buyer at Kaynar Manufacturing, one of Steven’s earliest major customers. This new chapter in his life also brought Valerie's daughter, Shauna, into the fold, whom Steven wholeheartedly embraced as his own. Through this union, a blended family was formed with Steven taking immense pride in being a devoted father to four beautiful children.

Initially residing in Fullerton, Steven and Valerie relocated to a hilltop home in La Habra Heights in 1987. There, they enjoyed an equestrian lifestyle for nearly eighteen years, creating countless treasured family memories, from outdoor swim parties and family barbecues to Christmas gatherings where he would dress up as Santa and invite everyone to sit on his lap before receiving a gift. After becoming empty nesters, they returned to their fully remodeled Fullerton house in 2005, a project Steven undertook with great enthusiasm during his retirement.

One of his favorite pastimes was golfing at Hacienda Golf Club, where he exhibited a lively competitive spirit. He proudly achieved a “Hole in One” in 2002 and won the McGregor Tournament in 2012 with his golf partner. Besides golf, he enjoyed playing card games, cribbage, and croquet with his buddies. He also loved playing board games, Wii bowling, and dominoes with his children and grandchildren, showing no mercy in his quest for victory. As health issues arose, billiards replaced golf and he became exceptionally skilled at sinking balls with remarkable precision, making it tough for challengers, including his grandchildren, to defeat him.

In 2008, Steven recognized it was time to decide where he and his wife would settle after her retirement. Factors like climate, healthcare, and golf courses were key considerations. After research, they chose St. George, Utah. They purchased a lot in SunRiver St George and began construction on their new home in 2011, moving in by 2012. Despite the challenge of leaving family and friends, they quickly formed new relationships and enjoyed adventures while remaining close enough to visit family members and old friends.

In 2014, at the age of 69, Steven deepened his faith as a Born Again Christian, viewing it as one of his greatest achievements. He emphasized, “it’s never too late to discover God,” and further affirmed his faith by being baptized in the Jordan River in 2017. Active at Calvary Chapel St. George, he engaged in various ministries, including prison outreach, teaching Sunday School with his wife, and serving as a church greeter—his favorite role by far. He participated in mission trips to Mexico and Thailand, spreading God's love and helping others. He deeply valued the time spent with his Brothers in Christ, who not only served as mentors but also became his closest friends. Daily Bible reading was essential to him; he read it from cover to cover at least twice.

Alongside his spiritual journey, he found immense joy in exploring the stunning landscapes of Utah. He often went hiking or took his FJ off-roading to secluded spots, where he could appreciate God’s creations with family, friends, and neighbors.

Despite Steven's lifelong dedication to fitness and nutrition, significant health challenges arose. Cognitive impairment first emerged in 2017 and was ultimately diagnosed as Alzheimer's disease in 2022. By 2024, he experienced difficulties with motor skills, leading to a diagnosis of ALS. These two terminal and incurable illnesses ultimately claimed his life. However, his steadfast faith in God's promise of eternal life provided him with the strength to face his destiny, confident that he was “Heaven Bound” when the time came. One of his earthly goals was to celebrate his 80th birthday, a milestone he successfully achieved.

His life on Earth can be portrayed as a vibrant tapestry, intricately woven with a commitment to service, devotion, and a profound love for his family, community, and country. He will be fondly remembered for his integrity, generosity, and dependability, along with his keen wit and playful demeanor, all enhanced by his infectious laughter and charismatic personality. Always eager to help or share insightful advice, he will be profoundly missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Wilbur and Leona King. He is survived by his wife, Valerie; four children: Nadine, Lisa, Steven, and Shauna; a daughter-in-law, Satu; two sons-in-law, Christian and Gary; and eight grandchildren who lovingly referred to him as Ampie: Michelle, Jake, Jesse, Mitchell, Riki, Nicholas, Raelyn, and Gunner; two sisters: Diane and Sharon; and his fur baby, Bella.

The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to the Ward 5 staff at Southern Utah Veterans Home and Dixie Hospice Care for treating Steven with dignity, respect, and ensuring his comfort during his three-month stay. They also thank friends and neighbors for visiting and sharing meaningful moments with Steven as he battled his diseases.

A tribute to his life is currently in the works. The family will share more details at a later date. Steven loved honoring veterans every year on Wreaths Across America Day. This year we will be honoring him. In lieu of flowers, you may consider sponsoring a wreath in his memory using this link: Memorial Tribute to Steven W. King

John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life."