Walter C. King II, of Redding, Conn., (awesome father, adventurous grandfather, and loving husband), 84, passed away March 30, 2020, from complications from lymphoma.

Wally was a consummate outdoorsman, who loved nothing more than a great tennis match, fly fishing for stripers, or walking with his dogs. He was born in Pennington, N.J. to Walter C. King and Dorothy Dunn King. He graduated from Pennington Prep School and went on to earn his degree from the University of Maine at Orono. He was a proud alumni and member of Alpha Tao Omega. Later, he earned his MBA locally.

His early career took him to Price Waterhouse and then Graphic Sciences, which manufactured the first facsimile machines in Danbury, as CFO eventually taking the company public. In the early 1980s, he formed his own accounting and financial advisory firm in Westport.

Wally was actively involved in his community. While in Westport, he was a member of the Rotary Club. He served on the Newtown Board of Education during the years his daughters were in the school system, and the Redding Board of Education during his retirement (2013-2017), establishing an accounting review board. He was a member of the Redding Republican Town Committee for many years and Redding Country Club.

Wally continued to play tennis at every possible opportunity until two weeks before he passed away. He looked forward to his weekly games and lessons, and often could be found on local courts perfecting that serve or working on his topspin with his ball machine. When the weather was too cold, he also enjoyed paddle ball and often boasted of shoveling the snow off the paddle ball court so he could play the game.

Fishing was another passion that Wally took very seriously. He was a member of the N.Y. Anglers Club and he collected flies of multiple sizes and shapes, fishing the rivers of the northeast. He also enjoyed surf fishing on Nantucket with his grandchildren and worked the tides to try and catch that striper. Wally was always accompanied by a dog, and his dogs held a very special place in his heart.

Wally loved the beach and especially enjoyed his time out on Nantucket. He hosted yearly reunions with his family and extended family. Getting ready to host his family allowed him to tinker with home improvement projects and work on his garden, while asking his children and grandchildren to help and hold his tools, plant flowers, weed, or spread mulch.

Walter is survived by his wife Patricia “Trish” Buckley King; brother Jack King of Pennington, N.J.; daughters and their husbands, Diane and David Lee of Williamsburg, Va. and Jennifer and Peter Kipp of Wayland, Mass.; and six grandchildren: Connor and wife, Jessica, Duncan, Jessica, and Russell Lee of Williamsburg, Va., and Matthew and Andrew Kipp of Wayland, Mass.

Trish’s children and grandchildren were also very special to Wally or “Wawa” as he was aptly nicknamed. His extended family included John and Kira Ryan, Dan and Char Ryan, and Carrie and Kevin Mahoney; and six grandchildren, Emilia Ryan, Carter Ryan, Cece Ryan, Reed Ryan, Morgan Ryan, and Ellie Rose Mahoney.

He lived a life full of love and laughter and he will be missed immensely. In the great tennis game of life, he certainly attained that “perfect match” — Game, Set, Match.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Christ Church Episcopal in Redding during the summer.

Donations in Walter's honor may be made to the Redding Land Trust, PO Box 1076, Redding CT 06875.