Wilson Curtis Turner

1930 - 2017

Wilson Curtis Turner

Virginia Beach - Wilson Curtis Turner, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on June 18, 2017. Born on May 7, 1930, he was 87.

Originally from Akron, Ohio, Wilson graduated in 1954 from Kent State University with a B.S. in Business and Speech. Right after college, he married his sweetheart, Carolyn G. Simon. He joined the Navy and traveled to Newport, RI to attend Officer Candidate School. His first tour took him to Pensacola, Florida, then to Patuxent River, MD to become a test pilot. While there, he flew the first "newly introduced" P3 into Normandy, France, then piloted Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft during his Navy career. Moving every three years to warm climates in Hawaii, California, Texas, and Florida, he landed in Norfolk, VA, retiring from VRF31 in September of 1975.

Upon retirement from the Navy, he started a new career in Real Estate. In 1976, he was honored to be named Tidewater Builders New Home Salesperson of the year with a record in sales that year. In 1978, Wilson received his Real Estate Broker license and became a co-owner in a Real Estate company working tirelessly to find homes for incoming Tidewater military families.

His full life led him to a third career in the ownership of six laundromats, keeping him very active until finally retiring in 2000.

On a personal note, he loved History and Genealogy. He was active in the Virginia Beach Genealogical Society and president of that chapter for two years. He was also a member of Toastmaster's International and the Rotary Club. Wilson called himself a "Yooper", a reference to residents of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Every summer, he enjoyed his family "camp" on Lake Superior in Marquette, Michigan.

Wilson C. Turner is survived by his wife of 62 years, the former Carolyn G. Simon of Cleveland Heights, Ohio and 4 daughters: Julie Neal Turner. Cynthia June Selkirk, her husband George, grandchildren Holden and Allie. Virginia Lynn Broun, her husband David, grandchildren Andrew and Thomas. Mary Katherine Macallister, her husband Thomas, grandchild Kona. He had a brother and two sisters who predeceased him: Lewis Neal Turner, Meroe Turner and Marylee Mayfield.

A memorial service will be held at St. John's Baptist Church on Holland Road Saturday, July 8th at 5pm. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church reception hall. In lieu of flowers, friends may make contributions to the Virginia Beach Genealogical Society, PO Box 62901, Virginia Beach, VA 23466-2901 or the charity of one's choice.