Funeral service for Royce D. Turney age 78 of Somerville will be Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 1:00pm at Center Springs Methodist Church with his children, Don Murphy, Eric Brown and Barry Dunn officiating with burial in the adjoining cemetery with Peck Funeral Home directing. His body will lie in state for one hour prior to the service. Visitation will be from 5:00pm until 8:00pm Wednesday evening at Center Springs Methodist Church.
Mr. Turney, who was born June 10, 1944 in Morgan County to Robert Louis Turney and Ruby Mildred Sharp Turney, died on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at his home. Royce lived his life by the quote “He carried his troubles in a pocket with a hole in it”
He retired after 39 years of service from the 3M Company, after retirement he started driving a school bus for the Morgan County School System and retired after 18 years. He was a lifetime member of Center Springs Methodist Church where he served as a Sunday School Teacher, Chairman of the Cemetery Committee and numerous other leadership roles.
Royce was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Reserves as an E-6, Staff Sgt., past president of the Cotaco Community League Youth Sports where he served as a basketball and baseball coach and he worked as the Basketball clock operator for 20 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, Fran Johnson and Leta Turney and a step-son, Forrest Johnson.
Survivors Include:
Wife: Gail Allen Turney
2 Sons: Stacy Cale Turney (Carol Nix Turney)
Kevin Grant Turney (Kristyn White Turney)
Step-son: Terry Johnson (Lisa Willingham Johnson)
1 Daughter: Kimberly Montez Turney Young (Scott)
1 Brother: Byron Turney
1 Sister: Ireta Hogan
11 Grandchildren: Amber Johnson Spears, Miles Turney, Graham Turney, McKinley Turney, Patrick Johnson, Olivia Turney, Owen Young, Nate Turney, Reece Young, Lincoln Turney and Ella Turney
Miles Turney, Graham Turney, Owen Young, Reece Young, Nate Turney, Lincoln Turney and Patrick Johnson will serve as pallbearers.
Honorary Pallbearers: Don Murphy, Kenneth Roberts, Jerry Pendergrass, Stanley Butler, Robert Freeman, Ted Dunaway, James Childers, Lanier Sherrill, Wayne Whitlock, Lonnie Williams, Raymond Breeding and Carleton Turney
