The Obituary of

THE REVEREND CANON WILLIAM MALCOLM TURNER

Retired Priest of the Diocese

Honorary Canon of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul

The Rev. Canon William M. Turner, 71, of Springfield died Sunday, October 24, 2004, at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, Illinois. 

Born on February 19, 1933, in Louisville, Kentucky, he was the son of George L. and Mary C. Post Turner. He married Libby Norman in 1953 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

Father Turner graduated from Oklahoma State University and received a Master’s degree in Divinity from Nashotah House.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving as a chaplain’s assistant. He was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1967 and served congregations in Oklahoma City, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Springfield, Missouri, and Lincoln, Illinois.

He served as a supply priest for twelve congregations before retiring. He served as Rural Dean, Chair of Evangelism and Spiritual Enrichment, Finance Committee Member, Canon Pastor and Chaplain to retired clergy and families for the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield. He was a member of Cathedral Church of St. Paul, where he was a choir member and active in ministerial associations. He volunteered for the Episcopal Food Pantry.

Canon Turner is survived by his wife, Libby; son, Scott Turner of Springfield, Missouri; three daughters, Pam Turner of Kansas City, Missouri, Tracey (husband, John) Gage of Lafayette, Indiana, and Margy (husband, Bill) Smith of Chatham, Illinois; four grandchildren; sister, Marian Calvert of Louisville, Kentucky; and several nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Springfield, Illinois. Inurnment will take place in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. 

The family of The Rev. Canon William M. Turner is being served by Vancil Memorial Funeral Chapel, Springfield Illinois.