VIRGINIA—Bill King, known to many for his years of coaching winning basketball teams at Orr High School, is now reflecting on his being selected as Outstanding Citizen of St. Louis County.
“It’s a distinct honor to get the award because I dedicated my whole life to betterment of the Nett Lake reservation and all the people of the reservation. I feel it’s just a distinct honor to represent the Bois Forte tribe,” he said in a recent interview at Virginia’s Washington Manor where he resides.
In a book called “Unforgettable Orr: A colorful first century in a remote timber town,” published by The Timberjay in 2007, the year of Orr’s centennial, a story called “King of the Court” begins: “A Philco radio that his father rescued from a scrap heap introduced Bill King to basketball.
“Bathed in the radio’s soft glow, the 8-year-old King listened raptly as the announcer described the championship game of a sport that he had never seen played. The experience began a lifelong love affair with basketball that led King to the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1994.”
Someone was quoted in the story as saying of King, “He looked at basketball as a tool for teaching. Not just about the sport but about life—the qualities you need to move forward in life.”
In a story on the Native American Sports website, the late Bob McDonald, the winningest Minnesota high school basketball coach, said of King, “I was very, very worried every time we played Orr when Coach Bill King was their coach. He would play to the last second of the game. He got the most out of his kids that any coach could get and that’s what always worried me. He was not only a good coach. He was a good teacher.”
King said, “I’m very proud to get the award. “ The county board honored him for outstanding contributions to St. Louis County. He has been inducted into the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and was also named the State American Indian Educator of the Year. Commissioner Paul McDonald had invited him to the board meeting and said King is so humble “it wasn’t easy convincing him.”
When King coached basketball at Orr High School, he had a code of ethics. “I would give every kid a copy of this and they had to sign it. And they lived by it. My philosophy is winning, not at all costs. We’re to work hard and sacrifice. What it takes to be a winning athlete, dedication, cooperation, sacrifice.”
Several years ago, King was featured in the Bois Forte News: “Bill King was born at the Cloquet Indian Hospital February 22, 1931, to Daniel King and Ideal Porter, one of eight children. After King’s birth, his family returned to the Bois Forte Reservation to a home with no electricity or running water. King was taught the Anishinaabe traditions as well as those of his Protestant faith. From these strong foundations the family was able to endure some difficult times.” And later in the article, “King’s practice of civic responsibility has been a great example for people of every generation. He was a volunteer firefighter, charter member of the Orr Lions Club, an American Legion officer and a member of the Orr Bible Chapel. He was the Neighborhood Youth Director and an American Red Cross first aid instructor for more than 30 years. His 26 years as a gun safety instructor earned him the Gold Muskrat Award. But what he is prouder of is that all of Orr’s students received their gun safety permits.”
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In 1998 a research paper entitled “Role Model Coach William ‘Bill’ King” was written by Damion Paulson.
Here are excerpts:
“King learned many valuable skills growing up on the reservation. He and his family did not have all the things many people take for granted. Everything the family had was handmade from Mother Earth. They did not have electricity or running water. They did not have an insulated house so there would be an inch of ice in the pails from the cold weather overnight. Although the Kings worked and played hard during the week, Sundays were kept sacred because it was God’s day.”
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“Transportation meant walking. King would think nothing of walking fifteen miles to visit his cousins. When he was 10, his father bought a bus and started to transport children to Orr 18 miles away. King’s father wanted his family closer to Orr to save on travel expenses, so in 1946 he raised his house and moved everything they owned to Orr.”
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“Throughout all the years growing up King’s parents always stressed to him and his siblings the importance of having a good education. His parents not only taught practical things in life, but they also taught him about tradition and spirituality. Family taught King many traditions of the Anishinaabe.”
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“His father said, ‘Son, when you go out into the world, take one step forward and surround yourself with good people. These people will help you with the rest of the steps.’”
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“King’s education did not end after high school. It was just the beginning. He enrolled in Virginia Junior College in 1949, but dropped out, he did not quit. He enlisted in the Air Force and served his country from 1950 to 1953 during the Korean War time. He developed a great pride for his country.
After leaving the military, he continued his education at junior college, then the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he received a degree in education with a double in biology and physical education. By graduating from UMD, King became the first Indian from Bois Forte Reservation to receive a bachelor’s degree. In 1965, King went on to earn his master’s degree from Bemidji State University.”
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King’s wife Zoe died several years ago, and sons Bradley and Timothy both died in their early 60s. Both had been award-winning teachers. King has two grandchildren Tyler and Jamie. Grandson Tyler works for Goldman Sachs in New York City. Granddaughter Jamie is a psychologist.
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