Wichita, Kansas (CNN) -- Major King remembers a time before the abortion debate came to his hometown, a time when Wichita, Kansas, was known as the air capital of the world. Manufacturers such as Learjet, Cessna and Beechcraft were the backbone of a tight-knit community where God-fearing folks like King would canoe after school in the Arkansas River and drag the streets "in slick cars with a nice-looking honey" on weekends. Times have changed, says King, 70, a retired oil refinery worker who also spent time at Cessna. "Now, Wichita's known as the abortion capital of the world." It's a label shunned by many Wichitans, regardless of their views on abortion. They'd rather be known for the restaurants and entertainment venues, quality schools and affordable housing that make Wichita one of the nation's "best-kept secrets," King says.
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Some say abortion provider's death marks end of Wichita's reputation as "abortion capital"
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Scott Roeder was convicted  Friday of killing abortion provider Dr. George Tiller
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The shooting stirred emotions among residents who had wearied of the abortion debate
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"And, now there is no more abortion in @placeholder, either, because the doctor is gone."
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It was not the first time a conservative social movement claimed the south central @placeholder town as its staging ground.
George Tiller
@placeholder's slaying last year led to the closure of his clinic, which was Wichita's last abortion clinic.
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Tiller's slaying last year led to the closure of his clinic, which was @placeholder's last abortion clinic.
Scott Roeder
"[@placeholder's] biggest impact is going to be he caused us to be suspicious of each other.