W.L. Turner

W. L. Turner died at Geary Community Hospital on May 15, 2009. He was born in Plevna, KS on the farm his grandfather homesteaded, on January 20,1920 to James L. and Edith (Pells) Turner.
W.L. graduated from Plevna High School in 1938, and attended Kansas State University. He graduated from Sterling College with a Bachelor's degree in Music; and from Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, KS with a Masters in Education. He taught at Langdon HS, St. John HS, Macksville HS, Plevna HS, and Obee Grade School in Hutchinson. He was a principal at Arlington Elementary. He finished his career as a sixth grade teacher at Custer Hill Elementary at Ft. Riley and retired in 1982. Then his wife Margaret and he returned to his family's land, where they farmed until the mid 1990s.
W.L. served as a pilot in the US Navy during World War II. He was a Scout leader for Arlington, KS and later a Scoutmaster for Troop 61 in Junction City and District Chairman for the Quivera district of the Coronado Area Council of Boy Scouts of America. He was awarded the Silver Beaver on November 5, 1972. He was a member of Kiwanis International South Club in Junction, and served as President. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, member of the choir, and served as a Deacon and Elder. He was a member of local, state, and National Education Association.
He was a member of the Hutchinson Municipal Band. He was cast as an extra in the movies "Wait 'til the Sun Shines Nelly" (1952) and "Picnic" (1955). W. L. also played multiple instruments in a combo/band that traveled around Kansas playing Old Time music at community centers and care homes.
W.L. Turner was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Edna Elizabeth (Betty) Miles and son James Chester Turner. He is survived by his wife Margaret C. Turner; sister Anna Mae Kimple; daughter Betty Linhart; son James E. Turner; daughter-in-law Martha Turner; Grandchildren Eric and Amy Blain, Laura, Jennifer, and Maribeth Turner; and nieces and nephews.
A viewing for family and friends will be held Thursday, May 21, 2009 at the Johnson Chapel on Washington from 6-8p.m. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, May 22, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Junction City. Memorial donations may be sent to Coronado Area Council Boy Scouts 644 S. Ohio, PO Box 912 , Salina, KS 67402 or the First Presbyterian Church 113 West 5th, Junction City, KS 66441.