Kenneth "Ken" Wing

Kenneth “Ken” Wing passed away on March 14th, 2024.

Ken was a hard worker all of his life and he loved the thrill of wheeling and dealing. He had a lengthy career in car sales starting at Betts Cadillac, his own auto lot creatively named “Ken’s Automart”, and then years working with small dealers on the Southside of Des Moines and beyond. He was a salesman at heart and when not selling cars he would flip houses and sell various other goods. He worked hard as a way to make sure his family knew he loved them, and he and his wife Betty got to realize their dream of having an Iowa lake house and also a winter retreat in Florida to entertain their children and grandchildren. He was always a great host, just like his mother, and he loved surprising his kids and wife with gifts.

Ken was born on July 20th, 1947, in Des Moines to Otis and Lois Wing. He graduated from East High School and worked at the airport and Firestone before entering the world of sales. His father was not excited about Ken’s foray into a career in sales, but he would soon learn that Ken was hard wired for the job and would build a successful career and life on that skillset. If you were looking for a car and a salesman who would treat with you with honesty and integrity, Ken was your man. Ken believed that you never judged a book by its cover and all customers were treated with respect.

Ken loved to collect things: cars, motorcycles, trucks, boats and a DVD collection that rivaled any Blockbuster store. Ken was always quick with a kind word and slow to anger. He loved NHRA, NASCAR and going to the races. He was always looking towards the opportunities that lie ahead which kept him in nearly perpetual motion. He would only slow down for the occasional good meal, diet coke, to share a laugh and a memory with Betty and their many lifelong friends, to brag about one of his kids or grandkids, or to play with his dog Willie.

Ken is survived by his wife of 33 years, Betty Wing; his sister Shirley Wing, his children: Lisa (Jim) Quilty, Rebecca (Eric) Heikes; his step-children Bruce (Carol) Jones, Brian (Rabecca) Jones and Staci Jones; his grandchildren: Blake (Nicole), Katlyn (Derek), Alexandra, Isabella, Dessa, Sophia, Sullivan, Tiger, Joe, Jayce, Mick, Lauren, Reece; and great grandchildren: Wesley, Amelia and Cooper. He is also survived by Martin (Jessica) Contreras, who came to be another son to him over the years. Ken has gone to be with his parents and son Gregg Wing who preceded him in death.

Most of Ken’s cars over the years had a vanity plate that read “MYN4NOW” (Mine for now) because Ken would sell his or Betty’s car in an instant for the right price even if that meant he would be temporarily stranded at an auto lot. While this was a running joke to family and friends, there was a deeper lesson to have been learned: all things are temporary so enjoy them while they are here. Even the best and brightest things need to be parted with when it is time. It doesn’t matter if we aren’t quite ready to let go. Ken was ours for a while and he definitely came with “all the bells and whistles.”

The family would like to thank staff at Taylor House for their care and compassion during Ken’s final days.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, August 11, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Hamilton's Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street.

Condolences may be expressed on www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print