Obituary of William Norman Turner

January 23, 1935 - Drumheller, Alberta

October 18, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

William Norman Turner, beloved husband of Irene Turner (nee Lovell) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at the age of 88.

Bill lived a full and abundant life and was well-loved by all those who knew him well. He will be most remembered for his warm smile and gentle manner, his wisdom, humour, and sense of adventure. 

Born in Drumheller, AB, Bill grew up on a farm near Munson and later moved to Stettler, AB, where he graduated from high school in 1952. Bill and Irene were married in April of 1957 in Stettler and recently celebrated their 66^th wedding anniversary.

Bill graduated with a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from the University of Alberta in 1958 and an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management in 1976. He was a member of The Petroleum Club and APEGA. As a young man, he volunteered with the 2376 Lord Strathcona's Horse Cadet Corp., and The King's Own Calgary Regiment as a Trooper. Throughout his career, he was a dedicated member of The Progress Club. Bill was a humble and devoted member of the Anglican Church and volunteered often, behind the scenes, to care for and maintain the churches he attended.

In his early career years, Bill and Irene lived in Redwater and Turner Valley, AB, where he was employed with the Alberta Oil and Gas Conservation Board (1959-1963). In 1963, they moved to Calgary and Bill started his 25-year career with Suncor Energy (1963-1988) later becoming VP of Production, in Calgary, VP of Strategic Planning in Toronto, and VP of Government Affairs in Ottawa. Later, he continued working with the Canadian Petroleum Association in Ottawa (1988-1994).

Throughout his life, Bill loved music. He sang in many choral groups and even learned to play the trombone in his late seventies. A highlight for him included singing tenor in the production of Handel's Messiah with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. He was an avid golfer and an accomplished sailor. He often sailed while living in Calgary, Toronto, and Ottawa, and later in retirement he and Irene sailed their 36’ sailboat through the Inner Coastal Waterway to the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. Bill enjoyed many sailing trips off the West Coast of Canada, sailing with the ‘Prairie Buoys’. He loved traveling and enjoyed many chartered sailing trips with Irene. A memorable trip for them was traveling to the Galápagos Islands and Ecuador with their dear friends, the Thurstons. Bill was also an expert skier and ski patrol at Sunshine Ski Resort for many years. After retirement, he enjoyed cat-skiing in Revelstoke with friends in the Steep & Deep Ski group. 

Bill is survived by his wife Irene, two sons, Steven Leslie Turner (Mary) of Olds, AB, and Bradley William Turner (Mary) of Calgary, AB; one daughter Laura Ann Turner (Stephen) of Calgary, AB; six grandchildren, Michael (Julia) of Kingston, ON, Rhys (Kayla) of Nelson, BC, Katherine (Chris) of Edmonton, Kyle (Laura) of Maastricht, Netherlands, Elise Wieler of Calgary, and Sarah Wieler of Calgary; and two great-grandchildren, William and Edward of Kingston, ON.

He is also survived by his six cousins, Norman Crawford of Palo Alto, California, Pat (Chalmers) Crawford of Comox, BC, Carol Crawford of California, Susan Turner of Calgary, Barbara Turner of Toronto, and Jane Turner of New York; his brother-in-law Glenn Johnstone of Calgary, AB, his nephews, Craig Johnstone of Calgary, and Brent Bisgrove of Colorado; and nieces, Gayle Dagg (nee Johnstone) of Calgary, and Lynne Perry (nee Johnstone) of Calgary. 

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Margaret and Gordon Turner of Stettler, AB; and his two sisters, Joyce Bisgrove (nee Turner) of Kimberley, BC, and Marion Johnstone (nee Turner) of Calgary, AB.

A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held at St. Martin's Anglican Church (1009 Prominence Way SW, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow at the church. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Turner's service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Bill’s family here. 

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Sorrento Centre, PO Box 99, Sorrento, BC, V0E 2W0, 250-675-2421, Telephone: 250-675-2421, www.sorrentocentre.ca.

In living memory of William Turner, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.