Willie Otha Turner Jr.

Born in Sevierville, TN, April 11, 1949, Bill was the son of the late Willie O. “Bill” and Flora Turner. He was a 1967 graduate of Sevier County High School. He was of Baptist faith.

Six months after graduating from high school, Bill voluntarily enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served his country 1968 through 1972. As a Sargent E-4, Bill was based in Vietnam. He always said it was an honor and privilege to serve the United States of America, his Country. However, while serving in Vietnam Bill was exposed to Agent Orange, which was his demise.

Upon his Honorable discharge from the Air Force, Bill earned a Bachelors in Logistics from the University of Tennessee. After graduation Bill was immediately employed with Shell Corporation.

Bill continued his education while working, earning an MBA in Finance from Mercer University.

Keenly adept in the field of Logistics, Bill was pursued for his knowledge by many companies. While with Shell, he was recruited by Kimberly Clark where he was employed for 21 years. From there Bill was lured to the Coca Cola Corporation as Head of International Distribution. Soon the Hershey Corporation contacted Bill, and he landed in Pennsylvania as Vice President of Supply Chain Management. In January of 2006, Bill retired. Unable to leave his professional career altogether, he did consultation work for various companies and taught Transit Distribution at the University of Houston. Soon his desire to work waned and he completely retired. He continued to give financial advice to family and friends.

Bill’s joy from his professional career was being given the opportunity to travel the world. He said that juncture in his life broadened his experience as a human being, and he was exposed to places and things he otherwise would not have had the divulgence.

A lover of animals, one day a stray black and white kitten wandered in to the yard of Bill and his wife. The kitten continued to stay around their home, and little did this kitten know he hit the jackpot. For 20 years, Tommy the cat has consumed their lives. Bill loved and doted on Tommy as though he was his child. Tommy eats the best foods, has his own human bed, and goes for walks on a leash in the backyard at night.

Bill was an avid University of Tennessee sports fan, especially football. For many years he had season tickets to football games, in the same seats. It was rare Bill missed a Tennessee athletic event on television after he relinquished his football season tickets.

A connoisseur of wine, Bill loved a great glass of the ardent spirit and good food. He was also a grill master and one of his greats was salmon.

Retiring to their home on Lake Keowee, Bill found joy watching deer, birds and other wild animals play in the yard. He enjoyed boating, and having family friends visit their lake home with a strict policy of two nights and three days!!!

Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 55 glorious years, Ann Williams Turner. Bill said Ann was the love of his life and a devoted and loving wife.

Also, a daughter, Angela Turner (Joey) Cartwright; three grandchildren of which he was extremely proud, Justin Toussaint and Allison Toussaint, and Abby Cartwright; sisters-in-law, Jerry Williams Crawford, Suzanne Anderson (Carl) Miller, and Martha “Mot” Brissey Anderson; and a brother-in-law, Paul (Karen Parker) Anderson; a nephew, Donnie; and a host of nephews and nieces, great-nephews and nieces, and great-great nephews and nieces.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, listed above; his father-and mother-in-law, HB and Edith Drake Anderson; two sisters, Linda Turner Smelcer Underwood and Nancy (James) Vowell; a nephew and a niece, Jimmy, and Debbie; and two brothers-in-law, Billy Anderson and Marvin Crawford.

A graveside Celebration of Life service with Military Honors will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 19 in Green Lawn Cemetery, 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA 30076.

Pallbearers are Paul Anderson, Jamey Crawford, Cole Ekmark, Billy Anderson Jr., Joey Cartwright, and Erick Toussaint.

At Bill’s request, donations may be made in his name to Tunnel To Towers Foundation for Veterans. Donations may be made at: dogood.t2t.org (http://dogood.t2t.org/), or Tunnel To Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306; or Paralyzed Veterans of America, P.O. Box 758589, Topeka, KS 66675. Donations are tax deductible.

It is Bill’s desire everyone wear Tennessee orange to his service.

Roswell Funeral Home, roswellfuneralhome.com, is in charge of arrangements.