William "Bill" Turner

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a much beloved Dad and Papa.  Bill lived to thoroughly enjoy his 100th birthday, just 47 days before his death on July 24th.  

Bill was predeceased in 2012 by his wife, Doris, the love of his life for over 68 years, and his much loved sister Kay.

He is survived by his daughters Sue (Richard) Qualicum Beach, Chris (John) Gibsons, and his son Bill (Sandra) Kelowna;  grandchildren Aaron (Momo), Leah (Shawn); Kim, Kelly (Chris), Kristie (Murray); Jennine (Chris); Jon (Nela) and great grandchildren, Kai and Jay; Ben, Charlie and Sam; Carter and Meg;  Kobe and Ireland; Mason; Matias, Abi and Lexi and step great grandchildren Taylor and Blair.

Bill was born in Kerrisdale, BC, but raised in Lancashire, England.  When World War II was declared, he joined the Merchant Navy and sailed aboard the Penrith Castle out of New York, on which he served as a Jr. Engineer. In 1941, he left the Navy and joined the RAF, serving in Italy piloting Spitfires, Hurricanes and Wellingtons.

Bill and Doris were married in England in 1944 and when the War was over moved to Canada, settling in Garrow Bay on the BC Coast, where they operated a fishing business.  In the 1950’s they moved to the Surrey Centre area where Bill farmed and worked for the Municipality of Surrey as a Social Worker. It was here they raised their family.  In later years Bill and Doris had a rural mail route in the Cloverdale area.

In retirement Bill and Doris moved to their beloved Sunshine Coast.  Bill’s three great passions in life were his faith, his family, and the sea.  Here he was able to indulge his love of sailing and fishing and indeed, fished and sailed with his children until his very late 90’s.  Bill was a true Patriarch of his family and never missed an opportunity to be with them and enthusiastically took part in whatever was going on.  “Papa” was loved by all and loved in return by him.  He was so proud of his family and always took a keen interest in each of them. 

Bill was a true gentleman, a humble hero and a huge presence in the hearts of all who knew him.  He will be greatly missed and forever remembered and loved.

Due to Covid 19, Bill’s funeral will be family only and held on August 7th at Christ Church, Surrey Centre where he and the family attended in the years they resided there. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s name can be made to Hope and Healing International, (formerly Christian Blind Mission Canada), which he enthusiastically supported.