William Calvin Turnage

William “Bill” “Red” Calvin Turnage Sr., born November 4, 1923 in Marion County Mississippi, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 25, 2015 at the age of 91. He was proceeded in death by his parents Robert E. Turnage and Lillian Ryals Turnage. Beloved husband of 66 years to Betty Nuschler Turnage. Loving father of R. Aubrey (Nell), George E. (Sandra), William C. Jr. (Nancy), Glenn M. (Lorna), David J. (Nancy), Robert “Buddy” Turnage (Kim) and the late Verla Davis Dillon. Brother of Ruby Merle Dillon and the late Hellen T. Stogner and Hubert Lee Turnage. He is also survived and fondly remembered by his 21 grandchildren, along with numerous great-grandchildren, cousins and dear friends. William was a native of Marion County, MS and a longtime resident of St. Bernard Parish before settling in Picayune, MS. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army in the Panama Canal Zone. He retired from Kaiser Aluminum Chalmette Works after 32 years of service, where he served after retirement as the President of the USW Retiree Club Kaiser Chalmette and also as President of the Packenham Chapter AARP. He was Cubmaster Pack 236 and member of the “Order of the Arrow” BSA. Bill was also Past Master of Forum Masonic Lodge and served as President of the St. Bernard Shrine Club and Jerusalem Temple Oriental Band; in addition to serving as Past Patron of Rachel Jackson O.E.S. He was well loved and will be forever remembered as a loving and loyal husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a friend of many, who was active in his community, loved his country, and treasured his family. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation to be held at ST. BERNARD MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 701 W. Virtue St., Chalmette, LA on Thursday, May 28th from 10:00AM – 1:00PM. A Masonic service in his honor will begin in the funeral home parlor beginning at 1:00PM and followed by a chapel service beginning at 2:00PM. He will be laid to rest in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org) or the Shriners Hospital for Children (www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org).