Memorial bench will honor Henry King, who was slain at Bellingham’s Boulevard Park
A memorial bench honoring a Bellingham man who was killed last March will soon be placed in the Bellingham park where Henry “Hank” King would sit and chat with passers-by.
Fernando Gonzalez, who manages the Bellingham Metro News site on Facebook, told The Bellingham Herald that he organized a Go Fund Me campaign as a tribute even though he didn’t know King personally.
“It was just the Bellingham thing to do. This community has always been about helping people in need with no questions asked,” Gonzalez told The Herald in an email.
Gonzalez said the effort raised $2,245 in three hours. About $700 of the money was forwarded to another fundraising campaign for King’s funeral expenses, and the rest was used for a bench in the waterfront park where King, who was homeless, often spent his time and even slept.
“I could tell by the amount of times that I saw him at that bench at the boardwalk that he loved that park just as much as I did and still do, and I know from spending lots of time at that park that it is simply the most beautiful and peaceful place on Earth for me, him and for many others. He was comfortable there day or night, rain or shine. I don’t want his impact to be forgotten, the conversations he had with people at the boardwalk, about many things — including trading cards, sports and more,” Gonzalez said.
King was shot to death on the boardwalk between Boulevard Park and Taylor Dock, and his body was dumped in Bellingham Bay, according to previous reporting in The Bellingham Herald. A suspect was arrested last week in connection with the slaying.
Jason Sanders, a Bellingham native and lifelong friend of King, told The Herald he was happy to see an arrest had been made in the case and was happy the community stepped up to honor King with the bench.
Sanders, who is based in Alaska for work, said he looked forward to visiting the memorial when he returns to town.
“When I get a chance to go back to Bellingham I’ll definitely be stopping by the park to see my buddy’s bench,” Sanders said. “I think it’s great the community did something like that. Hopefully this shines a little bit of light.”
Nicole Oliver, director of the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department, said the memorial to King was made a priority.
“We made an exception and fast-tracked the donation ahead of other projects,” Oliver told The Herald.
Oliver said she was in a meeting with key city officials when Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig announced the arrest.
“We are very thankful that they were able to figure this one out. He was really a beloved person,” she said.
This story was originally published December 10, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
