Dr. William Oliver Turner Jr.

1932 - 2014

Dr. William Oliver Turner Jr. obituary, 1932-2014, Midlothian, VA

Dr. William Oliver Turner Jr.

1932 - 2014

William Turner Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Oct. 4, 2014.
TURNER, William Oliver, Jr., B.A., M.B.A., M.A., Ph.D., 82, of Midlothian, passed away in the early hours of October 1, 2014, after being hospitalized for multiple and serious medical problems.

Dr.Turner was born and raised in Newport News and graduated from Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1954. After marrying Betty McKay, of Nineveh, the following year, he served 22 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Among other assignments, Bill was stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington; Frankfurt, Germany, Fort Hood, Texas, Fort Monroe, Virginia, and the Pentagon. He also completed tours of duty in Vietnam and Korea, where extended separations from family troubled him more than the physical dangers he faced. Although his career took him around the world, his heart never left the Old Dominion.

In 1981, Bill and Betty returned to Richmond, where they had first met, and moved into a home on McTyre's Cove in Brandermill. For the next 12 years Dr. Turner worked for the state of Virginia in the departments of personnel and training and information technology. This was a happy time until Betty's health declined dramatically. After her death in 1992, Bill courted and married Sonja LaBarber, with whom he would enjoy 20 years of extensive travel, church commitments and leadership roles in a number of civic organizations. He also returned to competitive bowling after a hiatus of several decades, sharing many laughs with his teammates and occasionally "winning the pot."

A lifelong love of learning compelled Bill to earn three advanced degrees and to teach business at George Mason University. Well into his seventh decade he pursued myriad academic and other interests, including conversation French, guitar lessons and doubles tennis. He was an avid reader, a gifted writer and a superb joke- and story-teller, possessing the Irish gift of gab seasoned with blarney. These traits made him an entertaining and popular speaker, especially at Brandermill Woods, where he prepared and presented several lecture series regarding American and world history. One of these showcased Dr. Turner's extraordinary knowledge about, and enduring fascination with, the Civil War (or, as he preferred to call it, the War of Northern Aggression.)

Bill gave generously to causes he felt were important, especially those advancing others' education. During his final years he sponsored a college student employee at Brandermill Woods and established scholarships at Virginia Commonwealth University and VMI. To a great extent, Dr. Turner lived his life with passion, faith and humor. Throughout, he did so with integrity.

Bill is survived by his wife, Sonja; and their favorite Maltese, Maggie. He also leaves behind a son, William "Jack" O. Turner and daughter-in-law, Colette, of Roswell, Georgia; daughter, Erin M. Turner-Bird and son-in-law, Fred, of Cortez, Colorado; grandson, Andrew M. Turner of Atlanta, Georgia; brother-in-law, Raymond Dudeck of Raleigh, N.C., brother and sister-in-law, Ernest and Ginny Milbredt of Midlothian, Virginia; and many beloved nieces and nephews. In 2012, he was preceded in death by his younger sister and only sibling, Deloris Markey of Canton, Georgia.

A memorial service will take place 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at the Brandermill Church on Millridge Parkway. A graveside service is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 8 at Ninevah Presbyterian Church near Front Royal, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brandermill Church or to the Brandermill Woods Foundation. Online condolences may be made at woodyfuneralhomehuguenot.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign William Turner's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

October 15, 2014

Angelique Crawford posted to the memorial.

October 12, 2014

Robert Van Horn posted to the memorial.

October 8, 2014

Bruce and Lois Fauth posted to the memorial.

4 Entries

Angelique Crawford

October 15, 2014

Sonja: I am so sorry to just hear of Bill's passing. He meant so much to my Mother and it meant a great deal to me when he reached out after her passing. I felt so blessed to have you both here when we celebrated her life. My sincerest condolences. Angelique Crawford (Williamsburg, VA)

Robert Van Horn

October 12, 2014

Our sincere condolences to Sonja and all Bill's family and friends.
Such a special person who made us smile with his little jokes and
sincere caring for the church family.

Robert and Elena Van Horn

Bruce and Lois Fauth

October 8, 2014

Heartfelt sympathies to family and friends, especially Sonja. We had many good moments sharing the same pew often at Brandermill Church. I'm sure he's smiling down now on his beloved St. Louis Cardinals as they advance in the baseball playoffs.

Bernie Henderson

October 4, 2014

As President of Woody Funeral Home, I extend our deepest sympathy from all our staff for your loss. We are committed to providing the utmost care to you at this time and throughout the days to come. Our purpose is to assist and serve you in a manner that exceeds your expectations. We pledge to strive to merit the trust you have reposed in us.

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Woody Funeral Home Huguenot Chapel

1020 Huguenot Road, Midlothian, VA 23113

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Sign William Turner's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

October 15, 2014

Angelique Crawford posted to the memorial.

October 12, 2014

Robert Van Horn posted to the memorial.

October 8, 2014

Bruce and Lois Fauth posted to the memorial.