William Tracy “Bill” Turner passed away on February 28, 2023, after a brief illness. He was the husband of Shirley Turner for 61 years until her passing.
Born in Yoakham, TX, he was the son of Bessie Margaret (Wallace) and John Cox Turner, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by his sister Joyce Gilbert and brother John “Howard” Turner. His brothers and sisters who survive are Carol (Norman) Carver, Jean (Charlotte) Turner, Richard (Janet) Turner, Sue (Danny) Flanagan, Marvin (Susan) Turner, brother-in-law, Dale Gilbert, and sister-in-law, Joy Turner.
His children are Sonia (Jeff) Rhodes, Gary (Dedra) Turner, Ron Turner and Tracy Turner. His grandchildren are Taylor (Derek) Vandiver, Tori Turner, Victoria Turner, John Rhodes, Desiree Turner and William Turner II. Dax and Ezra Vandiver are his great-grandsons.
He was a graduate of Industrial high school in Vanderbilt TX, Abilene Christian University, and the Harvard University Advanced Management program. Mr. Turner was a research chemist and chemical industry executive. He was awarded two United States patents for notable advances in the field of pine rosin adhesives.
Mr. Turner, Mrs. Turner, and their family moved many times (often every 5 years) during their fulfilling union together: pursuing the opportunities Mr. Turner was afforded in the commercial and research aspects of the chemical industry. He began in Houston TX, and then lived in Pearland TX, Lakeland FL, Winder GA, DeRidder LA, Lakeland FL (again), Houston TX (again), Franklin TN, and lastly in Hoschton GA.
Mr. Turner was an excellent chemist who was sought out by colleagues to guide them, but his first focus was his family. He and Mrs. Turner made a fun and loving home during their time in all those communities. He had a special connection with each of his children and helped each of them to grow as they found their places in the world.
A lifelong, faithful, member of the Church of Christ, he loved God and looked to Him for guidance as he lead his family. In the Church he led singing and worked in the many congregations he was a member of throughout his life. Hearing him pray to the Lord in even common situations led a person to know Mr. Turner had a deep and abiding faith.
Mr. Turner had an inquisitive mind and was good at diagnosing and fixing problems on almost anything mechanical around the home and garage. He enjoyed driving cars with advanced engineering including early Volvos. Mr. Turner wasn’t just all technology and science though: he was an avid bird watcher who spent many years learning about and enjoying their beautiful colors and unique songs and calls.
Mr. Turner was 15-year prostate cancer survivor.
