Obituary for William Turvey

William H. Turvey

July 16, 1922 – April 26, 2018

William Harold “Bill” Turvey of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died early Thursday morning, April 26, 2018, in the Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home at the age of 95 years.

William Harold “Bill” Turvey was born on July 16, 1922, in Douglas, Arizona, to Harold Russell and Grace Lavinia (Baker) Turvey. In September of 1923, he moved with his family to Blackwell where he grew up and attended Blackwell Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1940. He furthered his education by attending Northern Oklahoma Junior College in Tonkawa for a year. He married Marjorie Fawn Olson on September 18, 1942, in Tonkawa and they settled in Blackwell. He entered the United States Army on December 22, 1942, serving during World War II with Battery A, 250th Field Artillery Battalion. He landed at Normandy-Utah Beach and was active in Northern France, Central Europe and the Rhineland. Bill was involved in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest and was awarded four Bronze Stars. He was honorably discharged on December 14, 1945. Bill worked at the Turvey Packing Company in Blackwell before moving to Wichita, Kansas, where he worked for Beech Aircraft. He later returned to Blackwell where he entered into business with his brother, Allen, at Snow White Market and Locker Plant, later becoming sole owner and operator. Bill also worked for the Electron Corporation and helped his son, Don with his farming operation. His wife preceded him in death on June 1, 1999, and he continued to make Blackwell his home. Bill enjoyed hunting and fishing and played tennis and baseball. He bowled for many years on the Jewel-T Bowling Team. He avidly watched various sporting activities on television including tennis, golf, basketball, football and baseball, especially the Kansas City Royals. He loved his family and always enjoyed their visits. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

He is survived by two sons, Donald Lee Turvey and wife Orla Ann of Braman and John Allen Turvey and wife Daphne of Ponca City; a brother, George Turvey and wife Tonya of Stillwater; a sister, Carol Sjoberg and husband Jim of Corsicana, Texas; a sister-in-law, Kay Turvey of Le Sueur, Minnesota; four grandchildren, Leigh Ann Schultz and husband Christian of Alexandria, Virginia, Kristine Baranski and husband Steven of Portland, Oregon, Ashley Jones and husband James of Edmond, and Bradley Turvey and wife Lisa of Ponca City; and ten great grandchildren, Megan Ihrig, Alex Ihrig and Phoebe Schultz all of Alexandria, Virginia, Emily and Sam Baranski of Portland, Oregon, Erin and Ryan Jones of Edmond, and Slade, Brody and Levi Turvey of Ponca City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Warren Allen Turvey; a sister, Alice Turvey Moore; two brothers-in-law, Tom Anderson and Norman Moore; and a sister-in-law, Pat Turvey.

A celebration of his life will be scheduled at a later date.

A memorial has been established in his honor with the Braman Cemetery Association in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.