A true giant of a man in stature and impact… a loving husband and father, a devoted son and brother, a committed community leader, a dedicated mentor and preacher, a wise counselor, friend and mentor – the epitome of a true Servant. A man who fiercely loved the Lord with all of his heart and soul.
He lived the mantra of service to others above self and was an example to many of living and honorable life.
The Reverend Dr. Floyd W. Turner was the eldest child born to James W. Turner and Frances Williamson Turner on July 18, 1942. They both preceded him in death along with his first wife, Mary L. Jones Turner and two siblings, Robby and Bobby Turner.
He leaves to cherish his precious memories his wife Erma J. Turner; four (4) children Derrick Turner (Robin) and Shawn Turner Smith (Tracy) of Iowa; Glynis Marks and Fredrick Turner of Arkansas from his previous marriage: and Martez Turner (Renee); two (2) step-children Daphne Levingston Ross of Arkansas and Craig Levingston (Kela) of Iowa. A special sister-in-law, Connie Jefferson of Arkansas; 22 grands and 26 great grands; two(2) siblings James Lloyd Turner (Sherrian) of Hope, Arkansas and Cora Sholar (John) of Dallas, TX; a host of nieces and nephews…
His parents were firmly committed to their children’s education. As a result, Floyd “Big Bill” graduated from Yerger High School in Hope, Arkansas in May of 1961. He was the Captain of the football team; Heavy weight boxing champion; Co-Weight Lifting champion with Little Joe Duffie. He was eternally thankful to his high school football coach and role model, Dr. Roscoe Smith and his wife Dr. Velma Smith, for understand him when no one else did.
Big Bill was recruited by Lincoln University of Jefferson City, Missouri. However, he soon left and went to Kansas City as a walk-on with the Kansas City Chief Football team in 1963. He became know as the Flipper on the team that was owned by Lamar Hunt and coached by Hank Schram. Big Bill played tackle with teammates like E.J. Harlem, Bobby Bell, Abner Haynes and quarterback Lynn Dawson. He also played in the first Super Bowl on January 15, 1967 at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The Green Bat Packers won that game 35 - 10. After professional football, Bill was employed by John Deere Tractor of Waterloo, Iowa and was the choice of the Teamster Union, by was of a duly election, to represent the workers of John Deere Tractor Local #838. He was the Union Members mouthpiece and received many honors for setting shinning examples of improving the conditions of their employment, supporting their work and the community where they lived.
The greatest thing to ever happen to him was on July 5, 1981 God called him to preacher HIs Word. He received his ordination at the Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church and later became a member of Union Missionary Baptist Church. Dr. Turner confessed his calling to the ministry and has traveled the world searching for and providing his input for world peace. This is when he decided that he needed more education. He enrolled in the New York Theological Seminary, a private non-denominational Christian seminary in New York City. At this time he was also a member of the American Clergy Leadership Conference. This conference worked beyond race and denominations to rebuild the family, restore the community and renew the nation and world.
With his doctorate degree in hand and servicing in the American Clergy Conference he made several trips to Korea, Jerusalem, the Holy City, Rome, Egypt, Jordan and others places to be part of the peace initiative. This was when he preached to a group representing 113 different nations at Jerusalem. Dr. Turner took this opportunity to walk around Bethlehem where Jesus was born, walk down the Jericho road and wondered around Mount of Olives where Jesus taught his disciples, "Our Father". In Iowa, Dr. Turner actively served in the interfaith prison ministry of Waterloo. He explained that through the gospel of Jesus Christ, he has seen lives changed, families restored and communities made safer. In Texas , Dr. Turner preached on a regular basis to more than 500 men at the George Beto Maximum Security Prison on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is adequately described as a "gentle" Christian gentlemen who was a positive role model to all. always seeking first the kingdom of God. He is the author of a book entitled "Who Was Jesus?"
Soon after relocating to Dallas, Texas he united with North Park Missionary Baptist Church where he served as Associate Minister under the Honorable, Pastor T.L Thompson. He served as Manager and Executive Producer for the Talley Boys aka Gospel Keynotes and Gospel Singers.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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