Elton Buck Turner

Elton Buck Turner, 94, of Big Spring, was peacefully called home on Friday, August 5, 2016. Buck was in residence at the William R. Courtney Texas State Veterans Home in Temple, Texas.

Buck was born in Woodson, Texas on October 7, 1921, to Aaron Springs Turner and Willian Ressie Mathiews, and attended Woodson High School. He married the love of his life, Odell F. Turner, of Big Spring, on July 5, 1985. While in Big Spring, Buck worked as a neon bender and sign painter. He was a veteran of the US Army, and an ex-POW of World War II. His distinguished service awards include: American Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Asian-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Philippine Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal and The Purple Heart. He was involved in the Texas Permian Basin Chapter of Ex-POW, a lifetime member of The American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, Inc. and a faithful member of The First Baptist Church of Big Spring. Turner was honored with numerous other awards, and recognition for his military service. As a distinguished speaker, he traveled throughout the US, sharing stories of his military service.

Elton Buck Turner is preceded in death by his wife Odell, his first wife Helen, his brother Willard Turner, and sisters Ruby Nell Sanders, Betty Marie Monet, and Dorothy Lee Washington.

Buck is survived by his brother Calvin Turner of Prescott, AZ, his sisters, Norma Duke of Lubbock, TX and Ann Vinson of Prairie Hill, Texas and numerous loving family members.

Services will be Thursday, August 11, 2016 at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, with visitation beginning at 11:00 and funeral service at 12:30. Burial will follow at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.

The family of Mr. Turner wishes to extend a sincerest "thank you" to the William R. Courtney Texas State Veterans Home and Compassus Hospice & Palliative Care of Temple.