William N Turner

William Nave Turner died on Monday, May 11, 2015 at Bowers Hospice House in Beckley, West Virginia. A gentleman, he was surrounded by his family who gave him joy and happiness each day of his life.

Bill was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia on March 3, 1927. He was graduated from Greenbrier Military School in 1945, having polished a cannon to the point of ownership, and attended West Virginia University where he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa. He married the love of his life, Mary Ann Putman of Beckley, West Virginia on September 29, 1950.

Bill served in the United States Army stationed in Germany. Honorably discharged, he returned home to Beckley where he and Mary Ann made their home and had three children.

A long, successful career in the mining industry began with the Raleigh Wyoming Mining Company, working with his father in law Mr. L T Putman, the company president. The company’s closure led him to a career with Cooke Wilson Electric Supply Company and Cam-Ral Chain Company with his friend and partner Larry Ciccarelli.

Throughout his life in Beckley he was a member of The First Christian Church where he served as a Deacon, board member, and Cub Scout Pack Master. Bill joined The Rotary Club of Beckley in 1956 and served as the President from 1979-1980. He was made a Paul Harris Fellow in 1989 for service to the Rotary Club. He was appointed to the Armory Board (later the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center) in 1966 serving forty one years until 2007, many years as President of the Armory Board. He believed that it promoted growth to southern West Virginia and was proud to be associated with its operation and with the staff that served it and Raleigh County. Bill was a member of Black Knight County Club until his death and served as President in 1971.

Bill is survived by his wife of almost 65 years, Mary Ann and three children all of whom still live and work in Beckley. His family includes his daughter Carol Ann Cooper and her husband Conrad; their children Conrad Cooper and his wife Tiffany and their two children Riley Anne and Addison Carol of Tampa, Florida and Christopher Cooper of Tampa, Florida; his son William Lorin Turner and his wife Cindy and their two children Dr. Jennifer Turner of Morgantown, WV and William Lorin II of Beckley; and his son Charles Garland Turner and his wife Carolyn and their children Charles Daniel of Beckley and Brooke Elise and fiance’ Lanny Meadows of Morgantown.

A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held at the First Christian Church on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 2:00 in the afternoon. Friends are invited to call prior to the service at 12:00.

Donations of celebration honoring Bill’s life and supporting the community, may be made to First Christian Church or Beckley Area Foundation.

Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.