William Edgar Turner, Jr.

William Edgar Turner, Jr. 83, of Wingina, VA passed peacefully at home surrounded by family to be with his Heavenly Father on June 30, 2023.  William (Bill, Durock) was born January 5, 1940 in Richmond, VA.  He is preceded in death by his parents William Edgar Turner, Sr. and Mildred Mathews Turner.  He spent the first 24 years of his life following the railroad business living in cities like New York, Cleveland, and Richmond to name a few.  Living in these cities is where he developed his love for baseball.  The one constant that he had was coming “Home” to Nelson County.  Spending time in the county is where he developed his love for the outside, hunting and fishing.  The friendships that he formed out in the woods lasted a lifetime.  That is also where he met the love of his life and wife of 59 years, Patricia P. Turner.  They were married at Bethany United Methodist Church of Norwood and continued to attend.  They both created a loving family starting with Kathy Hansen who is married to Ken Hansen of Richmond, VA, and Andy Turner who is married to Cindy Turner of Mechanicsville, VA.  The next 20 plus years he spent leading his family by sharing the love of outdoors and being called “Coach” by his children as well as countless numbers of other young people in the community.  From there came the era of what some would say he was proudest of…..GRANDCHILDREN.  He is survived by Charlie Hansen (Shay), Erika Hansen (Josie), Emily Goin (Trevor), Savannah Turner, Kayley Turner, and Lyndsey Turner.  Bill was excited for the upcoming arrival of two little great grandchildren.

His professional career was mostly in the steel business in Richmond.  He started at Bristol Steel for approximately 20 years.  He moved to John R. Houck for another 20 years where he retired with friends in 2005.  He spent 40 years not selling to customers, he sold to friends.  Speaking of friends, after retiring full time, he worked part time at West End Fabricators for what he called his “spending money” but we all knew he wanted to keep in touch with his friends of the business.

In his retirement years Bill and Pat were able to travel around taking pictures of wild life on a few different continents but they quickly decided that they wanted to return to their “favorite place in the world” Wingina, Virginia in Nelson County.  That is where he spent the final chapter of his earthly life.   He enjoyed his time sitting in his chair looking out over the back field from the window and visiting with his cousins, other family, and dear friends.