William I. Turner

William I. Turner

Born in Geneva, Neb., to William and Susie (Hogue) Turner, Bill moved more times than he could recall, attending over a dozen schools before graduating from high school in San Diego  in 1943.

Bill served his country in  World War II as a second lieutenant B24 navigator. Smart, creative and hard working, Bill lifted himself up from fishing boat navigator, to building designer, to general manager of the Anaheim Stadium, then home to the NFL Rams football team and MLB Angels baseball team.

An accomplished artist, Bill’s oil paintings grace numerous homes and offices, and will be appreciated by generations to come.

Bill loved the redwoods, coast and small-town lifestyle, and it is fitting that he and wife, Marte, enjoyed these gifts the last decade of their life together in Brookings.

Bill is survived by his best friend and loving wife of nearly 35 years, Marte; son Billy Turner of Hesperia, Calif.; daughters and sons-in-law Donna Jean and Richard Stein of Dunwoody, Ga., and Sharon and John Hilton of North Hills, Calif.; step-daughters and sons-in-law Linda and CJ Viegas of Pleasanton, Calif., Billie and Ken Fivella of Martinez, Calif., and Diana Jago of Huntington Beach, Calif.; stepsons and daughters-in-law Bob and Debby Campbell of Garden Grove, Calif., and Fred and Carol Campbell of Mill Valley, Calif.; sister and husband Doris and Pete Corrao of San Diego; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brother Roger; sister Carol; brother-in-law Johnny; and stepdaughter Janet Campbell.

Inurnment will be held Oct, 23, 2009, at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego.