Roll Call Tribute

Bailey and Foster Funeral Home obituary

"Coach" William Everett "Bill" Turner
(September 13, 1935 - July 18, 2013)

Funeral services for “Coach” William Everett “Bill” Turner, 77 of Rusk, will be held 1:00 PM Monday at Southside Baptist Church, with Revs. Ben Tally, Chuck Bratz and Terry Nied officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Park. Arrangements are under the direction of Bailey & Foster Palestine. Mr. Turner passed away Thursday at Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler. He was born September 13, 1935 in Palestine, to Henry Everett Turner and Lettie Mae Cook Turner. He graduated from Palestine High School, graduated Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science degree and graduated Stephen F. Austin with a Master degree in education. He served eight years on active duty with the US Air Force from 1954 to 1962.He began teaching and coaching at Elkhart in August 1964. He was head coach and teacher at Tarkington High School, Cleveland, TX in 1968-69. He was an assistant coach at Rusk, ISD from 1969-1971. He taught special education at Rusk State Hospital by assignment from Rusk ISD from 1971-1975. He became Director of Special Education for the Anderson County CO-OP in 1975 retiring in 2001. He continued to work for the co-op as a consultant until June, 2012. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Rusk where he served as chairman of the deacons and adult Sunday school teacher. Mr. Turner was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Margie Prestridge Turner of Rusk, son William E. Turner, Jr. of Rusk, daughter Kathryn Elaine Bennett and husband Oscar of Tyler, brother Henry R. Turner of Irving, granddaughters Margie Louise Turner and Katie Marie Turner, many cousins, nephews and nieces. Pallbearers will be Larry Thomas, Ted Herrod, Glen Lowery, Tom Cherry, Phillip Heston, Sid Vance, Gary Gunnels and William Prestridge. Honorary pallbearers will be Bo Barbee, Jack Cherry, Joe Harris, Wilburn Howell, Gary York, Men of Calvary Baptist Church, all of the wonderful people that he worked with at the Anderson County Special Education Co-op, all of the members of the Anderson County Special Education Co-op Advisory Board that gave not only excellent guidance they gave wonderful friendship. Condolence calls will be received from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Sunday at Bailey & Foster Funeral Home Palestine. In lieu of flowers memorial may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 449 W. 6th St., Rusk, Texas 75785.