Lt. Col. Floyd V. 'Bud' King, USAF, Retired, age 85 passed away on October 23, 2005. He was a resident of San Antonio since 1971.

He was born in Mattoon, Illinois July 26, 1920 son of Floyd V. Sr and Josephine (Baber) King. He was schooled and graduated from High School in Olney, IL. Col. King served his country for 26 years. During World War II while serving as Navigator/Bombardier on a B-25 Bomber on his third combat mission was shot down and crash landed in Eastern China. The crew of six survived with minor injuries. They spent six weeks evading capture by the Japanese before reaching Kunming China and safety. After returning to his base in the Philippine Islands, he voluntarily flew 22 more combat missions against Japan. Most of his Air Force career was spent in flying assignments in the Military Air Transport Service and the Air Training Command. He served as Flight Instructor, Flight Examiner, Squadron Chief Navigator, and as Squadron Commander. He was a Master Navigator with over 8500 hours of flight time and also a private pilot with over 1500 hours of flight time. Among his many awards and decorations are the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Air Medals, The Presidential Unit Citation, and the Philippine Liberation Medal. He was a life member of the Retired Officers Assn. and a member of the Air Force Assn.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Mary Frances, brother Leonard King of Champaign, IL, sister, Betty Jane of Cuba, MO and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services with full military honors will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Published in San Antonio Express-News (TX) ~ Tuesday, November 1, 2005