Willie Lee Turner, Sr. “Skin" was the last child born on June 17, 1941 to the late Sammie Lee Turner, Sr. and Mandie McNabb Turner on “Galphinton’s Old Town Plantation” in Jefferson County, Louisville, Georgia.
Willie Lee, Sr. grew up in Louisville , Georgia. He grew spiritually when he became connected with Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church at an early age. He went on to attend Jefferson County Training School from grade school until the 11th grade. Although he was a high school honor student in Louisville, he made a commitment to transfer to Swainsboro, Emanuel County High School , with his first cousin, George Washington Boatwright (known as GW) so that GW would not be there at a new school by himself! They both graduated in 1959 from Emanuel County High School. Willie Lee, Sr. went on to Savannah State College in 1960 and graduated in 1964. He returned to Savannah State College in 1967 and furthered his studies to receive his teaching degree. He stared teaching at Jefferson County High School in 1968.
He proudly served in the United States Army from December 16, 1965 to October 9, 1967. He received his official honorable discharged certificate as a testimonial record of his honest and faithful service on December 15, 1971. A beautiful, kind, and wonderful woman (Betty Handy) came into Willie Lee’s life. They joined in matrimony in 1967. Later in the years of their marriage their family grew and included two sons, Willie Lee Turner, Jr. (Bill) and Armond Turner, Sr. They were the light of their lives and added joy to their family. One of the greatest joys after becoming parents, is also the joy of becoming grandparents. Willie Lee, Sr. and Betty were proud grandparents to Trey and Camryn (Bill, Jr.) and Armond, Jr., Isaiah, and Josiah (Armond, Sr.).
After completing his tour of duty in the United States Army and earning his degree from Savannah State College, Willie Lee, Sr. worked faithful in Louisville (Jefferson County), Georgia as a Civics and Spanish Teacher beginning 1968 to 1971. He went on to teach at Wadley High School from 1971 – 1972. In addition to those years as an educator, Willie Lee, Sr. worked in Atlantic City, New Jersey during the summers. Over the next forty-eight years, he went on to live and work faithfully in Washington, DC for the government for a number of years and lastly managing Sterling Cleaners for a number of years before retiring. Willie L. Turner, Sr. was an U.S. Army veteran and a public-school Civics and Spanish teacher in Louisville and Wadley, GA. Every summer he worked in Atlantic City, NJ during his adult years. He gave many others an opportunity to gain this experience and helped them travel beyond the state of Georgia for the first time (including his nephew Shelton V. Heath, and several of our cousins, and friends) from Louisville, GA to Atlantic City, New Jersey to live, work, and learn about life in another state. He was also an entrepreneur! He and four other teachers he worked with, formed a band called “Jay”! He played the trumpet! They performed all over the state of Georgia! He and those same teachers became co-owners of the “Lakeview Club” in Louisville, GA. They ran both of those enterprising businesses all while teaching school. He started playing an instrument in the 3rd grade rhythm band and continued playing all the way to his first semester in college. Speaking of college, his brother, Johnny Mack (Sonnie) Turner, bought him a 1951 white Plymouth! He was the “first” student on Savannah State’s campus during that time, to possess and own his own car! Willie L. Turner, Sr. transitioned, Saturday, September 2, 2022 at 9:45 a.m. at the VA Hospital, in Washington, DC with 81 years of life, finishing his earthly assignment given by God. Wille L. Turner, Sr. Leaves the following to cherish his memories… A dutiful son, Armond Turner, Sr. (Felicia) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; Adoring and loving Nieces and a Nephew he helped to raise like a father, Shelton V. Heath of Louisville, GA, Carol J. Vanderlip (Leonard) of New Rochelle, NY, and Dr. Deonn B. Stone-Ellison (Lonnie) of Savannah, GA; Grandchildren, SGT. Trey Grooms (Curnisha) of Camp Humphreys in South Korea and Andrews Airforce Base in Suitland, Maryland, Camryn Taylor of Washington, DC, Armond Turner, Jr., Isaiah Turner, and Josiah Turner all of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; five great-grandchildren, Jeremiah Grooms, JKhari Grooms, Jaiden Grooms, Amariah Grooms, and Trey Grooms, Jr. all of Suitland, Maryland; one aunt, Mattie Battle of St. Petersburg, Florida; cherished and dear cousins who were always there, George Washington Boatwright, and Robert L. Jackson, Sr.; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends, and two lifelong best friends, Dr. Dewitt Walker of Atlanta, Georgia and Israel Small of Savannah, Georgia.
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