- Date Of Birth: September 21, 1943
- Date Of Death: June 8, 2015
- State: Florida
Walter Guy Turner transitioned from his broken earthly body to his glorious eternal one on Monday, June 8, 2015. Walt lived a life of service to his God, his family, and his country. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on September 21, 1943. He grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and became an avid Pirates fan, spending summer afternoons at the ballpark with his grandfather. He passed this love for the game of baseball on to his children and grandchildren.
He graduated from Edison Community College in Ft. Myers, Florida, and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminology from Florida State University, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He served two tours in Vietnam, and earned four bronze stars for heroic and meritorious service in a combat zone. He retired from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, where he served numerous tireless nights and weekends at the State’s Emergency Operations Center, coordinating Florida’s law enforcement agencies in their emergency response efforts to hurricanes and domestic security threats.
He also developed and managed the State’s emergency resource database. Walt was a reserve wildlife officer for the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission, an outlet for channeling both his love for law enforcement and his appreciation and reverence for Florida’s natural ecosystems. He was an avid guitar player and singer, and loved acoustic and folk music, especially Gordon Lightfoot and Peter, Paul, and Mary. He served as an ordained Elder at Covenant Church in Tallahassee, actively serving with many ministries, but most precious to him were those in which he could work with the children and youth group. His wit and humor were unparalleled, and he kept his family laughing through life as well as his death. A towering 6’6”, his impressive and intimidating size were immediately offset by his humble demeanor and gentle spirit. The countless lives he touched will be forever changed for the better. Walt is preceded in death by his father, Isaac Worthington Turner, and his mother, Alberta Beatrice Stafford Turner.
He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Sheryl Diane Wilson Turner; his brother, Jonathan Jared Turner; two daughters, Trueby Kathryn Turner Bodiford and Evie Turner Crosby; and five grandchildren: Sam, Katy, and Bradley Bodiford, and Wyatt and Leah Crosby.
