William R. "Billy" Turner

William R. Turner (Billy) died on Dec. 27, 2025 after a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer’s dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

Billy was born on Jan. 6, 1944 and grew up in Flovilla, GA, a rural community on the banks of the Ocmulgee River. After graduating from Jackson High School in 1962, where he excelled in competitive sports, he obtained a scholarship to play football at Furman University in Greenville, SC. At Furman, he forged life-long friendships with his football and baseball teammates.

In 1966, Billy graduated from Furman and began coaching football at Commerce High School. He married his first wife Cristina and then served in the Army for 2 years as a Military Police Officer in Berlin, where his son Todd was born. Billy also coached the Berlin Bears football team to victory in the USAREUR championship in 1968.

Furman University pulled him back to Greenville in 1970 where he got his Master’s degree and coached football under Bob King.

Billy had several careers in sports related businesses but in his heart of hearts he would always be a Coach. He found a great deal of fulfillment in umpiring high school baseball in retirement and was a certified kayak instructor for years. “Coach” Turner was equally adept on the river and ocean as he was on the gridiron and baseball diamond.

Survivors include his wife Julie, his son Todd and his friends-in-fur at “The Cat Farm”.

Special thanks to Hospice of the Upstate and the individual caregivers at Spring Park Memory Care.

In remembrance of Billy, consider a gift in support of the Furman Football Players Association (FFPA) and/or the Paladin Scholarship Fund.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date in the early spring of 2026.