Obituary for William Turner
The Owner of “Bill’s Nice Ride” Has Taken His Last Ride
William Roger Turner, a lifelong resident of West Newton, MA, passed peacefully on September 6, 2020. William “Bill” Turner born April 5, 1939, was the 14th child of William George and Hollie Alston Turner. He was fondly nicknamed Magee when he was a little boy.
Magee was a proud graduate of Newton High School, Class of 1957, and looked forward to monthly luncheons with classmates. Magee attended Harvard University and Northeastern University through continuing education courses in transportation. Magee was married to the former Nancy Gray for 52 years. This marriage was blessed with three children who Magee deeply loved: Sharon, Michael, and Donna.
Magee loved playing with cars and trucks at a young age. This love foreshadowed his professional career. As a young man, Magee worked for Wally McLean’s Mobile Gas Station in West Newton. For 15 Years, Magee drove trucks for Chet’s Express, a delivery company. Neighbors would see Magee early in the morning, tightly loading boxes into trucks for delivery all over Massachusetts. Magee also drove for Pucker Transport in Ashland, MA.
Magee celebrated a 30-year career - working for Boston Edison. His first job was in South Boston working on underground cables. Magee made many friends at Edison. He had a strong work ethic and knowledge of the company. It was no surprise when he was promoted to Troubleshooting Supervisor.
Magee had a keen sense of direction and was “Mr. GPS” before it was invented. Magee’s daughter remembers him saving a man two hours in drive time to North Carolina because he redirected his travel route. His son remembers his Dad attending his Pop Warner Football games, being a Cub Scout Den Father, and volunteering on the Pierce Elementary School PTA. Magee’s wife remembers that everywhere they went people knew Magee or Bill or Mr. Turner.
Magee was a lifelong active member of Myrtle Baptist Church, West Newton, MA. where he accepted Christ as his personal savior and was baptized. Magee was Chairman of the Trustee Board and Trustee Board member for years. Magee was a member of the Usher Board, Men’s Choir, and co-chair the Church Fish Fry. His infamous “Magee’s Potato Salad” was a special guest at these events!
Magee was a charter member of the “Old Dudes”, a group formed by Rev. Howard M.Haywood.Its members are the men who grew up together in “The Village”. Magee remembered the old days and was a great storyteller!!! Magee proudly wore his “Old Dudes” cap, tilted just a bit to the side. Magee, along with his brothers Sam and Tip, started The Annual Turner Men’s Cookout. One nephew stated you could see the joy Uncle Magee felt when they all got together. It was important to him to keep the men of the family close to one another. These reunions always produced a spread of “good eating”.
Magee established “Bill’s Nice Ride”, a limousine service, which he owned for 15 years. Magee’s clients were so impressed with his ability to get them to any location avoiding traffic for on-time arrival, that it grew the business. Magee’s nephew said, “it was a beautiful thing working in the business with my uncle.” Magee was straight forward in telling you what he expected. If you thought you could not do something, he would help you get it done. Nieces and nephews remember that Uncle Magee was their first employer. He would pay them for odd jobs with Two Dollar Bills.
Magee always kept a positive attitude towards life even during his long illness. Magee recently said to his sister, “Life is funny, you never know what’s coming but you have to deal with whatever comes.” His son put it this way, my Dad has come full circle in his life: death is a part of that circle. Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2 says it this way: “To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A Time to be born, and a time to die.”
Magee loved and trusted the Lord… Magee proudly provided for his family… Magee enjoyed serving his church family… Magee was a diehard sports fan… Magee enjoyed listening to smooth jazz and Motown… Magee loved wearing his Turner Family Reunion T-shirts…
Magee loved a good cup of Black Coffee.
Magee was preceded in death by his siblings and their spouses: Candace (Robert) Haywood, Cornelia (Thomas) Johnson, James (Ruth) Turner, Leahnora (Walter) Hill, Mary Ellen (Raynor) Ricks, Ozella (William) Evans, Elizabeth (Clarence) Nichols, Samuel (Florence) Turner, and Robert (Christine) Turner.
Magee’s memory is cherished by his devoted wife Nancy; children- Sharon L. Taylor, Michael A. Taylor, and Donna Marie Turner. Two granddaughters - Mackenzie Renae Wynn, and Janae Jordan Turner. Siblings: June T. Lowe, Joan T. (Jesse) Banks, and Thomas (Etheline) Turner. Siblings -in - law: Joan (Joaquin - Jack) Rozario, Donald A. (Lorry Nelson) Gray. He will also be missed by his only living aunt, Arleemah (Muhammad) Shakoor. Special cousin - Mary Alice Price. Forty-four nieces and nephews; church family; and a community of friends.
A private graveside service will be held at the Newton Cemetery. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Burke Family Funeral Homes, 1479 Washington Street, West Newton, MA.
Donations in the memory of William Roger Turner may be made to either:
The Myrtle Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, 21 Curve Street, West Newton, MA 02465 or
The Turner Family Reunion Scholarship Fund, ℅ Ronald Alston, 4150 Oakmont Ct, Clarkson, GA 30021
The owner of “Bill’s Nice Ride” took his last ride on Sunday morning, September 6, 2020.
William Roger Turner, a lifelong resident of West Newton, MA, passed peacefully on September 6, 2020. William “Bill” Turner born April 5, 1939, was the 14th child of William George and Hollie Alston Turner. He was fondly nicknamed Magee when he was a little boy.
Magee was a proud graduate of Newton High School, Class of 1957, and looked forward to monthly luncheons with classmates. Magee attended Harvard University and Northeastern University through continuing education courses in transportation. Magee was married to the former Nancy Gray for 52 years. This marriage was blessed with three children who Magee deeply loved: Sharon, Michael, and Donna.
Magee loved playing with cars and trucks at a young age. This love foreshadowed his professional career. As a young man, Magee worked for Wally McLean’s Mobile Gas Station in West Newton. For 15 Years, Magee drove trucks for Chet’s Express, a delivery company. Neighbors would see Magee early in the morning, tightly loading boxes into trucks for delivery all over Massachusetts. Magee also drove for Pucker Transport in Ashland, MA.
Magee celebrated a 30-year career - working for Boston Edison. His first job was in South Boston working on underground cables. Magee made many friends at Edison. He had a strong work ethic and knowledge of the company. It was no surprise when he was promoted to Troubleshooting Supervisor.
Magee had a keen sense of direction and was “Mr. GPS” before it was invented. Magee’s daughter remembers him saving a man two hours in drive time to North Carolina because he redirected his travel route. His son remembers his Dad attending his Pop Warner Football games, being a Cub Scout Den Father, and volunteering on the Pierce Elementary School PTA. Magee’s wife remembers that everywhere they went people knew Magee or Bill or Mr. Turner.
Magee was a lifelong active member of Myrtle Baptist Church, West Newton, MA. where he accepted Christ as his personal savior and was baptized. Magee was Chairman of the Trustee Board and Trustee Board member for years. Magee was a member of the Usher Board, Men’s Choir, and co-chair the Church Fish Fry. His infamous “Magee’s Potato Salad” was a special guest at these events!
Magee was a charter member of the “Old Dudes”, a group formed by Rev. Howard M.Haywood.Its members are the men who grew up together in “The Village”. Magee remembered the old days and was a great storyteller!!! Magee proudly wore his “Old Dudes” cap, tilted just a bit to the side. Magee, along with his brothers Sam and Tip, started The Annual Turner Men’s Cookout. One nephew stated you could see the joy Uncle Magee felt when they all got together. It was important to him to keep the men of the family close to one another. These reunions always produced a spread of “good eating”.
Magee established “Bill’s Nice Ride”, a limousine service, which he owned for 15 years. Magee’s clients were so impressed with his ability to get them to any location avoiding traffic for on-time arrival, that it grew the business. Magee’s nephew said, “it was a beautiful thing working in the business with my uncle.” Magee was straight forward in telling you what he expected. If you thought you could not do something, he would help you get it done. Nieces and nephews remember that Uncle Magee was their first employer. He would pay them for odd jobs with Two Dollar Bills.
Magee always kept a positive attitude towards life even during his long illness. Magee recently said to his sister, “Life is funny, you never know what’s coming but you have to deal with whatever comes.” His son put it this way, my Dad has come full circle in his life: death is a part of that circle. Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2 says it this way: “To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A Time to be born, and a time to die.”
Magee loved and trusted the Lord… Magee proudly provided for his family… Magee enjoyed serving his church family… Magee was a diehard sports fan… Magee enjoyed listening to smooth jazz and Motown… Magee loved wearing his Turner Family Reunion T-shirts…
Magee loved a good cup of Black Coffee.
Magee was preceded in death by his siblings and their spouses: Candace (Robert) Haywood, Cornelia (Thomas) Johnson, James (Ruth) Turner, Leahnora (Walter) Hill, Mary Ellen (Raynor) Ricks, Ozella (William) Evans, Elizabeth (Clarence) Nichols, Samuel (Florence) Turner, and Robert (Christine) Turner.
Magee’s memory is cherished by his devoted wife Nancy; children- Sharon L. Taylor, Michael A. Taylor, and Donna Marie Turner. Two granddaughters - Mackenzie Renae Wynn, and Janae Jordan Turner. Siblings: June T. Lowe, Joan T. (Jesse) Banks, and Thomas (Etheline) Turner. Siblings -in - law: Joan (Joaquin - Jack) Rozario, Donald A. (Lorry Nelson) Gray. He will also be missed by his only living aunt, Arleemah (Muhammad) Shakoor. Special cousin - Mary Alice Price. Forty-four nieces and nephews; church family; and a community of friends.
A private graveside service will be held at the Newton Cemetery. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Burke Family Funeral Homes, 1479 Washington Street, West Newton, MA.
Donations in the memory of William Roger Turner may be made to either:
The Myrtle Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, 21 Curve Street, West Newton, MA 02465 or
The Turner Family Reunion Scholarship Fund, ℅ Ronald Alston, 4150 Oakmont Ct, Clarkson, GA 30021
The owner of “Bill’s Nice Ride” took his last ride on Sunday morning, September 6, 2020.