Chief King Colley

King Solomon Colley was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on September 30, 1944, to the late James W. Colley and the late Mae Anna Barnes Colley.

King attended Wenonah High School in Birmingham through the eleventh grade and completed his senior year at Eutaw High School in Eutaw, Alabama, graduating as Valedictorian in 1962. In 1979 King earned an Associate Degree in Administrative Management from the Community College of the Air Force. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland in 1984. King is a graduate of the Strategic Air Command Noncommissioned Officer Leadership School, Strategic Air Command Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and the United States Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy.

King entered the United States Air Force in January of 1963 at Gunter Air Force Base, Alabama, eventually rising to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant in September 1987. Over the next thirty years, he was stationed at various bases across the United States (Ohio, Washington State, California, Washington, D.C., and Alabama), Vietnam, Turkey, South Korea, and Germany, providing leadership positions across administrative, operational, and mission support functions. King's decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one silver and one oak leaf cluster, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He retired in Montgomery, Alabama in November 1992. Following his retirement, King continued his professional career as a civil servant. His last position he worked as a protocol officer for the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, CA, where he supported military dignitaries by coordinating logistics and accommodations (2002-2018).

King Colley passed into eternal peace on December 22,2025, surrounded by love. He was preceded in death by hisbrother, Clifford Barnes, and his grandson, baby KristopherColley, II.

Leaving to cherish his memories are his children, Kristopher(Anita) and Stephen (Shannon) Colley (by his marriage tothe late Linda) and Stephanie and Kimberly Colley (by hismarriage to Deborah). He was grandfather to Kristopher, IIIand Joseph Colley (children of Kristopher), Amena and Anya Colley, and Azalea Myrick (children of Stephen). King is also survived by his sisters, Eunice Gale Colley Bell and Vivian Colley Waller "Chuckie"; sister-in-law, Delores Barnes; his aunt, Gladys Horton; his nephews and nieces, Keary Barnes, Delicia Barnes Stevenson (Charles), Jason Bell, Justin Waller, and Michael Bell. King leaves behind a host of other relatives, former colleagues, and friends.

King Colley's love for his family, generous heart, humor, and faithful service to our nation will always be remembered and cherished.