Battalion Chief Wayne C. King, Retired, Elkhart Fire Department, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Sunday, March 13, 2022, at Greenleaf Health Campus. He was 89.

He was born August 13, 1932, in Elkhart to the late William & Iona (Carter) King, and on June 6, 1954, he married Jane E. Declamp, who survives along with a son, Jack (Christine) King; grandchildren Joel (Becca) King and Stephen Schwartz; great-grandchildren Holly and Hannah, and a host of loving extended family, fire department family and good friends. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Sue Sullivan.

Wayne was a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving during the Korean War. Lovingly known as "Commander King" by his firefighters, he was a Battalion Chief at the Elkhart Fire Department for over 32 years and also worked part time at the Elkhart Clinic for over 40 years. During the 9/11 tragedy, Wayne went to New York City with several other Elkhart Firefighters and assisted in the rescue/recovery operations that took place there in the days following the attacks. When he wasn't working, Wayne enjoyed working, woodworking and riding motorcycles.

In accordance with his wishes, cremation took place at Elkhart Cremation Services. Following that, a memorial gathering of friends and family will take place on Friday, April 8, 2022, from 6-8:00 at Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart. While a funeral service has not been scheduled, the Elkhart Fire Department will hold Firefighter's Memorial Honors at Billings at 6 pm, just prior to the chief's memorial gathering. A private burial will follow at a later date.

Friends and family wishing to make a monetary donation in Wayne's memory may do so by donating to the Elkhart Fire Department. Additionally, please be sure to thoroughly browse Wayne's obit page, as you are able to leave condolences and memories, post photographs on his memory wall, and order other funerary items in regard to the family.

We hope that you will take the time to join us as we say our last good-byes to a dad, a brother, an uncle, a son, a friend, a husband and an amazing man whose memory will forever live in the hearts of those he loved!!