Willa Mae King, 93, of Galesburg, Illinois, died at 11:25 a.m. Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Allure of Lake Storey.
She was born June 6, 1933, in New Hall, West Virginia, the daughter of Willie and Catherine (Brown) Blackwell.
Willa is survived by three children, Linda (Wynder) Simmons of Georgia, Doug (Barbara) King of Galesburg, and Michael King of San Francisco, California; a godson, Arthur G. Melendez Jr.; 10 grandchildren, Dina Sias, MeKenzie Crummer, Keigen Crummer, Elmer Dickerson, Terrence Dickerson, Michael Edmonds, Leon King, Tra’Vonna (Chad Vassell), Donell Mack, Rashida Mack, and Shona Fleming; 24 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, James Mack; and four siblings, Gladys Johnson, Betty Jackson, Shirlie Blackwell, and James Blackwell.
Willa graduated from Kimball High School in Kimball, West Virginia. She worked as an assistant housing manager in Yonkers, New York, for 25 years before retiring in 2008. While living in Yonkers, she served as an associate minister at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.
On September 28, 2001, Willa relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where she became a member of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, under the leadership of Senior Pastor Dr. Jamal Bryant. She moved to Galesburg, Illinois, in 2003 and became a member of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church.
Visitation will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral and Cremation Services. Funeral services will follow at 1:30 p.m., with Rev. James Hailey III officiating.
Burial will be in East Linwood Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.
