Iconic local broadcaster, Hal King, dies

Photo: Hal King reenacted 1940’s broadcasts on WHOP during a program at the Alhambra in 2016

One of the most iconic voices in the history of local radio and the man who told Hopkinsville about the assassination of JFK is gone as Hal King passed away Tuesday night following a recent illness.

King came to WHOP from Bowling Green in the late 1950’s, as he described in 2010 on the WHOP 70th Anniversary program.

King worked in news, sports, had a board shift and did sales.

He was doing the 12:30 p.m. news on WHOP on November 22, 1963 when word came through the Associated Press machine that President John F. Kennedy had been shot and it was King who delivered that message on WHOP.

King was also part of some of Hopkinsville’s brightest days—calling the action as Hopkinsville High School won state championships in football in 1965 and 1966. He returned to WHOP for seven years in the 1980’s to solely do sports play-by-play and told Hopkinsville of state football championship runs for Christian County in 1982 and 1984.

He owned and operated Hal King Advertising for several decades—working until very recently. King was the voice of dozens of iconic commercials heard on WHOP and other local radio stations.

King was 87 years old. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church. Hughart, Beard and Giles Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.