Obituary of Billy Turner

Billy Eugene Turner, 80, passed away Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, in Schenectady, NY, after a brief illness. He was born in Shenandoah, VA, on July 20, 1933, the son of the late Floyd and Ella V. Turner. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Filomena (Fran) Iannucci Turner, whom he married on Sept. 1, 1957; son, David (Paula) Turner; daughter, Suellen (Thomas) Mallette; son, Thomas J. Turner; granddaughter, Heather Mallette. In addition, he is survived by his three sisters, Shirley Tomney of the Villages, FL, Lois (Lowell) Will of Richmond, VA and Elaine (Jerry) Stillwell of Stanley, VA; nephews, Chuck (Cindy) Tomney, Michael Stillwell and Edwin (Arlene) Will; and great-nephew, Ross Tomney; and great-niece, Robin Will. Billy graduated from Shenandoah High School in 1952, where he was an academic and multi-sport standout. He received a football scholarship to Virginia Polytechnic Institute, but suffered a broken leg in his freshman year and as a result, he left college to join the US Navy. While on active duty, he served on the USS Ticonderoga and USS Lake Champlain. After an honorable discharge in 1956, Billy joined the Naval Reserves, where he rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-3), before retiring from the service in 1993. Billy returned to school in 1958, attending Union College and graduating with an economics degree in 1962. Always the athlete, Billy played football and ran track while attending Union. Upon graduation, he went to work for the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation in Stamford, NY as a budget analyst. His 25 year career ended in 1988 with his retirement from the Dept. of Adult Services. Billy and his wife, Fran, also were the owners and operators of Ballston Spa Lanes in Ballston Spa, NY, from 1976 to 1995. Never one to sit still in retirement, Billy worked for Mohawk Honda for several years and from 2000 to 2011, as a courier for Sunmark Federal Credit Union. A lifelong lover of animals, his hobbies included tinkering with cars, playing Scrabble with family, enjoying a competitive game of bocce and croquet and most of all, enjoyed being at the family's camp on Sacandaga Lake. Funeral service Monday, 12 p.m. at the Daly Funeral Home, Inc., 242 McClellan St., Schenectady. Calling hours Monday morning, 10 to 12 p.m., at the funeral home. Interment, Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, with military honors. Billy's wish for any donations was to Animal Protection Foundation, 53 Maple Ave., Scotia, NY 12302 -