A standing ovation for B.B. King
and more cheers than tears marked a family-and-friends memorial of the
late blues great's life and legacy Saturday in Las Vegas.
King's closed casket lay
framed by an array of floral arrangements, two of his guitars named
Lucille and a tapestry showing him in eyes-clenched reverie picking a
note from a section of the guitar frets dubbed by followers the "B.B.
King Box." 
More than 10 of King's
35 grandchildren and eight of the blues icon's 11 surviving adult
children spoke during a two-hour service that was distinct for its
intimacy and notable for its lack of acrimony.
King's granddaughter
Landra Williams remembered her grandfather calling every woman in the
family "pretty girl," and spoiling them all, while making himself their
confidante and protector.
"To everyone else, he was a legend," she said. "But for us, he was love."
Several of King's surviving children
are feuding with LaVerne Toney, his longtime business agent and
power-of-attorney, who is now executor of his estate. Toney watched
Saturday from the back row of the chapel and didn't speak during the
service.
Attorney Larissa
Drohobyczer, said Saturday that five adult King daughters — Patty King,
Michelle King, Karen Williams, Barbara King Winfree and Claudette King
Robinson — will contest the blues legend's will and Toney's actions.
The statement alleges
Toney has misappropriated millions of dollars, has been untruthful and
is unqualified to serve as executor of the B.B. King estate.
Toney told The
Associated Press that she would not immediately respond. She said she
was happy the memorial remained calm, peaceful and respectful.
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