I didn't put Hitchcock on my list because I think he's more of a Thriller director, not horror.

you might be correct, however hes very influential on the horror genre.

just out of pure respect i would say charles band

There's no famous person that is closely associated to horror as Stephen King is. Thats who I would call the 'King of Horror' IMO

As far as the subgenre, slashers, I would have to nominate Ed Gein for obvious reasons because without his influence there would be no inspiration for Psycho or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the first of which would inspire Halloween, which in turn would inspire Friday the 13th. Get where I'm going with this?

I have a serious soft spot for Charles Band, myself.

Charles Band has all of my respect as an indie horror film producer. I love all of those Full Moon films!

I love Stephen King, but in a way this seems like too much. Even King himself sees Robert Heinlein and Richard Matherson as 'King,' so I don't know what to make of this.

Seconded. If it were not for these two there would be no Stephen King, John Carpenter, Jason Voorhees etc, etc, etc.

For directing, I would give it to Wes Craven. Romero is great, but I just have a bias for Craven. He puts just the right amount of humor into his (though the part with the Amish man in Diary of the Dead actually cracked me up). Scream started me into the whole horror genre, so Wes Craven really inspired me. As for actual villain, I would say Hannibal Lecter. He freaked you out just by talking through thick, bullet proof glass to Jodie Foster. But then when it comes his time to perform the deadly kills, he sure does deliver. Still haunts me at night, haha.

Jess Franco, Jorge Grau and Amando de Ossorio at all.

I love B Series.

Character - Michael Myers
Director - John Carpenter
Writer - Clive Barker
Movie - A Nightmare on Elm Street
Franchise - Friday the 13th