Laughter, music and praise enveloped the packed Moriarty High School gym Saturday morning.

That's how former governor Bruce King wanted it.

King had requested a similar service as his wife, Alice's, almost a year ago. He wanted more of a worship experience, Russell Lee minister of the Stanley Union Church said, and King had requested no eulogy be read, but believed Bruce would be OK with a message from former President Bill Clinton.

Clinton met King 31 years ago outside Atlanta at a conference for newly elected governors. They were both early risers, Clinton said, and were the first two down for breakfast every morning.

The former president said he never met anyone like Bruce King.

"He made me look like a psychopathic shut-in," Clinton said. "I thought, is this guy for real? I thought about checking my billfold. Then I realized it was real. Every bit of it was real."

The former president sat next to New Mexico Attorney General Gary King, the former governor's son, Yolanda King, wife of Gary King, and Bill King, the former governor's other son.

Clinton clapped and nodded along with the music selection performed by the Moriarty High School Messengers, the Macedonia Baptist Choir and the congregation as they sang some of King's favorite hymns including, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," "Victory in Jesus," and "Amazing Grace."

Lee gave a message about King's legacy as a VIP, a person of vision, integrity and people.

"I believe Bruce King saw every one as a VIP, a very important person," Lee said. "He had a way of making everyone feel important. He seemed to take a genuine interest in everyone."

King died Nov. 13 at his family's ranch in Stanley. His body laid in state at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe Friday, where hundreds, if not thousands of mourners came to pay to their last respects.

King's political career included three terms as governor and terms as a Santa Fe County commissioner and speaker of the state House of Representatives.

The seal of the state of New Mexico rested over his closed casket both at the Roundhouse and at the funeral.

King's brothers, Sam King and former state Sen. Don King, led the casket out of the gym before King was buried at the King family plot in Stanley.

After the services, Clinton had lunch at El Comedor de Anayas, a longtime meeting place for New Mexico politicians and the King brothers' favorite place to gather for morning coffee.

Others honoring King at the service included Gov. Bill Richardson, former Sen. Pete Domenici, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish; former Govs. Garrey Carruthers, David Cargo, Toney Anaya and Gary Johnson; U.S. Reps. Harry Teague, Ben Ray Luján and Martin Heinrich; and former ambassador to Spain Ed Romero.