William Turner

William O’Neil Turner, age 77 of Kingsport, TN, was taken up into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ during the early morning hours of Saturday, September 30, 2017. William was born on June 25, 1940 in Asheville, NC to the late Andy Martin Turner and the late Lillie Taylor Turner. William married his best friend and love of his life, Brenda Joyce Kell, and after 53 years of sharing a beautiful life together, she preceded him in death in January of 2015

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William and his wife were the owners and operators of Ted E Bear Academy for 19 years in Waynesville, NC, Blountville, TN, and in Bristol, TN. He and his wife enjoyed working with paper and wood crafts, and he found solace in collecting classic cars; of his favorites were his 1955 Chevy and his 1967 Oldsmobile 442. In his spare time, you could find William casting his fishing pole in a nearby pond or lake. William and his wife were devout members of the Free Gospel Mission Church in Kingsport.

William was preceded in death by his parents; and his loving wife, Brenda Joyce Kell Turner. He is survived by his daughters, Stephanie Jones and husband Steve, Debbie Tolbert, and Sharon Turner; grandchildren, Chris Ferrell and his wife Cheyenne, Brandon Ferrell and his wife Tasha, Kylee Tolbert, Joseph Colandria and his wife Claudia, Rebekah Jones, Crystal Jones, Ashly Jones, Andrew Jones, and Joe Dove; and one great granddaughter, Constance Dove.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, Johnson City Office, 508 Princeton Rd. Suite 102, Johnson City, TN 37601, www.cancer.org, 423-926-2921.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at East Lawn Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at 7:00 pm in the chapel of East Lawn Funeral Home with Brother Johnny Copas officiating. Military Interment services will be held on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at 1:00 pm in the Garden of Gethsemane at East Lawn Memorial Park. Serving as pallbearers will be Brandon Ferrell, Chris Ferrell, Steve Jones, Joe Dove, Curtis Crawford and Wes Bradley. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 3/265.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.eastlawnkingsport.com. East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park has the honor of serving the family.