Billy Turner's Obituary
Funeral services will be held at Radar Funeral Home for Billy Joe Bill Turner on 12 July 2012 at 10 am. He passed from this life on 08 July 2012 at the age of eighty years and ten months.
Billy was born on 14 August 1931 in the community of Miller, Oklahoma. He graduated high school from Moyers High School in 1949, a nearby community located in southeastern Oklahoma. He always had fond memories of the difficult life during the depression and enjoyed sharing his experiences with others. Although life was very difficult for the family during this time, his memories were always positive and focused on simple pleasures.
Mr. Turner came to Longview, TX and enrolled in school at LeTourneau Technical Institute in early 1950. He began employment with the R.G. LeTourneau Company on 07 April 1950. He married Mary Lee Scarborough on 13 December 1952, his loving wife of almost sixty years. Billy was drafted into military service in 1953 and was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant in 1955. He later graduated from Kilgore College with a degree in Industrial Management.
Upon his discharge from the military, Bill resumed his employment with the R.G. LeTourneau Company. He worked in the plate processing department of the steel mill and was promoted to foreman and superintendent. In the 1960's he was named superintendent of the munitions division and was instrumental in helping the company produce over three million bomb casings for the Vietnam War. After the closing of the munitions plant, Mr. Turner returned to the steel cutting department as superintendent and later went back to the steel mill as superintendent of the plate rolling and processing departments. He retired from LeTourneau, Inc. in late 2000, being one of the first employees to attain over fifty years of service with the company. Billy was extremely proud of his career with the LeTourneau Company and loved the people he worked with.
Mr. Turner was passionate about hunting, fishing, and camping with his family. He taught his sons and grandsons to love the same and enjoyed nothing more than spending time in the outdoors with them. He was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather that always put the needs of his family first. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life such as cooking for guests and was always happiest with his family around him. Bill was always willing to help those in need and enjoyed making new friends. He made his home in the Lakeport community for most of his life and was a long-time member of the Mobberly Baptist Church.
Mr. Turner was preceded in death by his mother Naomi Frances, his father Phelon Thomas, his son David Dalton, his brother Eldon Warford, and sisters Valdorine and Josephine.
Mr. Turner is survived by his wife Mary Lee, his son Randy Joe, daughters Lisa Gail and Kelly Moore, daughter in law Dianne, grandsons Aaron Joe, Nathan Kyle, and Jason Lance, great-granddaughter Alyssa Marie, granddaughters-in-law April and Tammy, and brother Jerry Lee.
Billy will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He was, and will remain an inspiration to those who walked through this life with him.
What’s your fondest memory of Billy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Billy?
Share a story where Billy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Billy you’ll never forget.
How did Billy make you smile?