William “Bill” E. Turner, 90, of Natick and a former resident of Mashpee, passed away on June 26, 2023. Born and raised in Flint, Michigan, he was the only child of the late Cora M. (Evril) and William A. Turner. He was the loving husband and best friend of Louise B. Turner for 66 years.
Bill graduated with a degree in Business from Michigan State where he met the love of his life, Louise Bell. They were married in May after he graduated. Bill joined the Navy after college and served from 1956 – 1957 on the Tolland-class attack cargo ship USS Skagit in the Pacific achieving the rank of Storekeeper 3rd Class. While in the Navy he had the opportunity to travel to Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Hawaii. Bill was transferred to the reserves and then discharged in 1962. After the transfer Bill and Louise moved from San Diego, CA back to Flint, MI to start a family.
Bill worked for General Motors for 38 years, having started in the executive training program right out of college. He was selected to work in the purchasing department at the Chevrolet plant. He held positions in four different divisions over the years, including Framingham, and finished out his career at the North American Operations Headquarters in Detroit. While in Detroit, he had the responsibility for three plants in Mexico involving construction, tooling, and equipment.
Bill was an avid handyman and amateur woodworker and was never afraid to tackle home remodeling and repair, a gift he passed on to his children and grandchildren. He loved spending time sailing, playing tennis, swimming, and snorkeling at Mascoma Lake and was known to make a mean Manhattan to go along with cheese and crackers for “beautiful time” on the porch.
Bill lived in Mashpee MA for 7 years. Prior to Mashpee, he lived in Naples FL, Waleska GA, Rochester Hills MI, and 25 years in Framingham MA, Grand Blanc MI, San Diego CA, and Flint MI. Bill also lived part-time on Mascoma Lake in Enfield, New Hampshire for 37 years, one of his favorite places.
Bill was deeply loved by his family and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Besides his loving wife, Louise, Bill is survived by his four children, Susan MacDonald and her husband, Jerry, Laura Broughton and her husband, David, David Turner and his wife, Kristen, and John Turner and his wife Erika. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Ben and Michael MacDonald, Gabriela (Abby) Turner Crisostomo, Kaitlyn and Sydney Turner, and Hannah, Phoebe, and Chloe Goldsborough Turner.
Private family services are being held. Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mashpee Congregational Church, 259 Shore Dr., Mashpee, MA 02649
McCarthy McKinney Lawler Funeral Home