William Vern Turner passed away on July 5, 2019, after an interesting and well-lived life of 91 years. Bill was born June 4, 1928 at Hunter, Salt Lake County, Utah, being the 4th of ten children born to George and Fern Turner. The family moved to Amboy, Washington in June, 1936. Bill attended Amboy Grade School, the 7th and 8th grade at the Chelatchie School, then the Junior and Senior High Schools at Battleground, where he graduated in 1946. He began his college education at WSC in Pullman, Washington in 1946, and married his high school sweetheart, Helen Plowman, in 1948. They spent their honeymoon that summer working for the U.S. Forest Service at the Granite Mountain Lookout in Snoqualmie National Forest.
In September, 1948, Bill and Helen returned to Pullman, where Bill worked in construction of the Holland Library and the CUB buildings on the WSC campus. In 1950, Helen graduated in Education, and Bill resumed his studies in Business, while Helen taught High School in Colton, Washington. In 1953, Bill graduated from WSC with a degree in Business, with a special major in accounting.
Shortly after graduation from College, Bill was drafted into the Army and completed basic training at Fort Ord, California. Then Helen joined him while he completed 13 weeks of Finance Training School at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. Following training, he was shipped to LaChappel, France. Helen was able to join him and they lived off-post at Meung-Sur-Loire, France. They enjoyed their time in Europe and were able to visit Belgium, Holland, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, and England. They returned to the U.S. in May, 1955, and Bill was discharged from the Army.
Bill began his career at Seafirst Bank in October 1955, in the Credit Dept. in the Clark County Branch in Vancouver, WA. While living in Vancouver, Bill and Helen had two daughters, Angilee, in 1959, and Charlene in 1962, and settled into family life. In 1966, Bill transferred to the Seattle Broadway branch to become the ICD manager there, and the family moved to Mountlake Terrace. In 1970, the family moved to Sultan, where Bill was Seafirst branch manager. He retired from Seafirst in November, 1984 after a 30 year career. Following his retirement, Bill and Helen devoted their time to travel, rock collecting, and grandchildren. They were also active in the community with the Historical Society and Lions Club.
Bill grew up in a large family in lean times, but the values he learned early in life were present until the end. He was kind to people, always in good spirits, greeting everyone with a smile and a handshake or a hug. He knew everyone’s name and made an effort to greet them and engage them in conversation. He sang songs, played harmonica, and told corny jokes. He will be missed by those who knew him.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, his parents, George and Fern Turner, his brothers Steve, Norval, and Marion Turner, and his sister Dora Jarvis. He is survived by his children, Angilee Turner Couey (Lyle), Charlene Turner Thomas (Guy), and grandchildren Erin Couey, Ryan (Hilary) Couey, Garret Thomas , and Jarek (Eliza) Thomas. He is also survived by his brother Jerry Turner, and sisters Addie MacKay, Barb Eliason, Leola Stanley, and Carol Hutchings. His many many surviving nieces and nephews include Leonard (Cheryl) Freese Jr., Jane (Bob) Brink, Martha (Matt) Todd, and Sherrie (Andy) Sommers. He is also survived by “adopted” daughter Deanna (Richard deceased) Rode and their children Melissa and Jon. Many thanks to Kidist, Bob, and the staff at Maple Adult Family home who cared for Bill and Helen in their final years.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial gift to Pomeroyfarm.org, or the Humane Society.
A memorial service will be held on August 17, 2019, at Inglewood Presbyterian Church, 7718 NE 141st St., Kirkland, WA 98034.
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