Albert "Sonny" King, Jr.

Albert B. "Sonny" King, Jr., 90, of Knox, passed away Thursday afternoon, March 26, 2026 at The Caring Place in Franklin. 

He was born in Pittsburgh on April 23, 1935 to the late Albert B. King, Sr. and Mildred (Paich) King. 

He was raised in Rockland from a young age by his grandparents, George and Millie Paich.  He was a graduate of Rockland High School.  Albert served in the U.S. Army in the late 1950s. 

He was married in 1954 to the former Shirley Shreffler, and she preceded him in death in 2020.

He was employed as a machinist for many years at Joy Manufacturing.  Following retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, going to casinos, and having breakfast meet ups with his 'Joy Boys.' 

He also enjoyed hunting, and when his children were young, he spent many days enjoying horses and farm life at their country home near Nickelville.  Albert will be missed by his neighbors and his Pittsburgh gang. 

Albert is survived by four children: Desiree Smathers of Venus, Rick King (Robert Yingling) of Oil City, Kim Young (Kelly) of Franklin, and Julia Baker of Kennerdell; his grandchildren: Kellen Smathers (Amanda), Christopher Denny (Chris Morton), Kelly Young Jr., Nichole Young, Kari Baker, Keith Baker (Kaitlyn), and Kayla Baker; and his great-grandchildren: Teyla, Kanan, Quinton, and Orin Smathers, Calvin Shade, Elliott Olon, Otis, Arthur, and Mari Baker, and Ava London. 

Also surviving are two sisters, Ruth Baker of Rocky Grove and Ellen Edwards of Seneca. 

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Shirley Canfield; his sons-in-law Richard Smathers, Jack Denny, and William Baker; and brothers-in-law Vance Edwards, Lee Baker, and Philip "Tip" Canfield. 

No visitation or service will be held at this time.  Private interment with military honors will be held in Rockland Cemetery at a later date. 

Private funeral arrangements are being completed by Hile-Best Funeral Home in Seneca. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Caring Place, 103 N. 13th St., Franklin PA  16323.

To express online condolences to Albert's family, visit www.hilebest.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Albert "Sonny" King, Jr., please visit our floral store.