King Palmer was born in Washington, DC, on May 31, 1935, to Wayne Palmer, Sr. and Mildred Chamberlin Palmer. In 1937, King moved with his family when his father oversaw the construction of the Bankhead Tunnel. He attended University Military School and the University of Alabama.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. King passed away peacefully at his home in Point Clear on April 11, 2026, surrounded by friends and family.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 11AM, at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cememtery, 34904 Hwy. 225 in Spanish Fort. AL.
Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.
Mr. King Palmer was one of my favorite customers when I worked at Walgreens in Fairhope.
He always had a smile on his and a hug for me.
He was such a good friend to my husband and myself.
I met king at Saraceno’s when he overheard that my son was a marine. After lunch he invited me to his house to see his marine collection. Later on both my wife and son visited him and he was again so proud of not only his collection but of the Marine Corps. He was so friendly and real. Semper Fidelis King.
I’m at King about 20 or more years ago. We lived in the same neighborhood. I remember seeing his red truck as he drove down past our home. He did stop one day and we spoke, and he was so polite and actually very refreshing. He invited me to his home. Or I should say the garage and his room of his collections. We sat in helicopter chairs with a Coke in hand, and had a great wonderful time. As I would take walks sometimes during the day I would see the garage open and perhaps a friend of his head stopped by. So I would join him and have a seat and just had a wonderful time just chatting. We talked about the Marines of course. I grew up in the in the air of the Vietnam war. That was a bad situation. Later I learned that he was shot down but he did get rescued along with his co pilot , , but it was a close call.
We all who knew him couldn’t help but thank him over and over again for his service to our country.
I would have to catch him sometimes driving by and he’d back up or slow down to see me. It always say come down there, you need to visit me.
I have always loved King. But he wasn’t the marrying kind. And I knew that but I still loved him. You couldn’t help but love such a warm, sweet, gentlemen. I shall miss him greatly. So many of us will miss him. But it will never stop my love for King.
I’m so sorry to hear about this , he was such a sweet man , I worked at All Health Pet Care and he was always buying his cats food or leaving us kittens . He will be missed
King was one of the first faces I came to know when I opened my barbershop, and he never stopped showing up. Not just for a haircut, but to share a piece of his life with me. Over the years, his stories from the past and his time in the USMC became something I genuinely looked forward to. There was a warmth and a dignity to him that made every visit feel like catching up with an old friend.
He was a truly great man, and I feel lucky to have known him. My deepest condolences to his family. He clearly left the same impression everywhere he went.
His service will be on Tuesday, May 5, 11 AM at Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort.
King and I have been friends since we were 13. And what a loyal, caring friend he has always been! Rest in Peace, King.
Semper Fi-
Faye Brady Hughes
King Palmer was a Good man and a great neighbor. Always friendly. Greeting you with a smile and laughter. King was Kind and willing to address the county commission and help the subdivision to receive hurricane debris pick-up.. He helped address the County Commission, and helped to make a physical presence with numerous neighbors. facing & addressing the Co.unty COMMISSION.. He was a Good man and will be missed..
We were so sorry to hear about Kings passing, we have so great memories coming to see him and Shirley over the years.
Last time we saw him my grandson loved sitting in the pilot seat and wearing King’s helmet. I had a trip planned for this May to see him, he will not be forgotten.