By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – While Hilry King wore many hats in the city of Columbiana, including city planner and public works director, his loved ones will remember him as a great father and husband.

King passed away June 17 after a long struggle with a brain tumor, according to Columbiana Mayor Allan Lowe.

Lowe said the chemotherapy and radiation took their toll on King.

“He was a Navy veteran and father of three boys,” Lowe said. “He was a great-grandfather when he passed.”

King and his wife of almost 56 years, Martha, had a standing date.

“He loved his wife,” Lowe said. “I could ask him to come meet me any time I wanted to except Fridays at 4:30 because he had a standing date with his wife.”

Martha King said her husband retired after 36 years of working for Shelby County, and then worked for more than 21 years for Columbiana.

“He was a great father. His sons really loved him,” Martha King said. “They really depended on him. They could go to him for anything.

“He was an intelligent man. He will really be missed by all,” she added. “His sons, especially, they were crazy about their daddy.”

Lowe said King was “very wise,” and brought a lot of expertise to the city.

“He didn’t believe in cutting short cuts or giving favoritism,” Lowe said. “If one person does it, it needs to be fair for everybody. He held everybody to the same standard.

“He was very versatile,” he added. “The city and county were very fortunate to have someone with his experience and expertise.”