of Fort Smith, AR

January 23, 1936 - December 19, 2020

Billy John Turner, 84, of Scranton passed from this life on December 19,2020 at Methodist Village Health and Rehabilitation Center in Fort Smith due to complications from Lewy Body Disease. He was born January 23, 1936, on a farm northwest of Scranton to Mary Opal Nicholson and Claude John Turner.

After graduating from Scranton High School in 1953, he did three years of military service where he completed paratrooper training and proudly served in the Eleventh Airborne Division for a year before going to Germany for two years.

Following military service, Bill moved to OK where he joined Marvin Lasater working on an electrical contract in Clinton OK. He and Marvin actually started working together when they were 12 years old hauling hay in Arkansas and doing any farm jobs they could find. The move to Clinton OK made two tremendous impacts on Bill's life. Marvin and his wife introduced him to Elaine Gold who was to become his wife, love of his life, and best friend for the next 49 years until her untimely death in 2007. The other impact was the beginning of an illustrious career as an electrician and contractor. He was pleased when both his sons and two grandsons followed in his footsteps.

Bill and Elaine eventually settled in OK City where he started an electrical contracting business. In the early 1970s he sold that company, retired and moved to Arkansas where he built a house near his birthplace. Growing cattle and chickens kept him satisfied for only a short time. He did electrical wiring on gas drilling rigs; and when Walmart built a Distribution Center about 7 miles from where he lived., the lure of work got to him again. After a couple of weeks, he was promoted to a supervisory position and for the next 10 years, he and Elaine traveled around the US to various DC construction sites. He worked and she explored and played tourist. When Bill retired for the third time, he was satisfied to take care of the farm and cattle. He and Elaine continued traveling the U.S. along with friends, Pete and Henryetta Thompson.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife and parents and by his sister and brother-in-law, Helen Louise Turner and Claude Donaldson.

He is survived by his daughter and sons, Denise Stevens and husband, Bill of Barling; John Turner and wife, Candy of Lincoln; and Michael Turner and wife, Christine of Scranton; and a brother and sister, Carol Turner Scott and Jerry Turner both of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; eleven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; other family members and friends.

Graveside services will be held at McKendree Cemetery near Subiaco at 2:00 p.m. on December 28, 2020. Cremation and service arrangements are under the direction of Roller Funeral Home Paris.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ross Rogers, Pete Thompson, Travis Tebben, Paul Turner and Tim Moffet.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to McKendree Cemetery, P O Box 484, Scranton AR 72863.

We are complying with the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines. All attendees must provide and wear their own masks during the service and practice social distancing of at least six feet.

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