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Bill Lee Turner Sr. crossed the River Jordan on Saturday, May 3, 2025. He was born on March 24, 1963, in Alamogordo, New Mexico, to Ed S. and Fay Norton Turner. The youngest of four children, Bill grew up in Tularosa, New Mexico, where he excelled both academically and athletically.
A standout athlete, Bill earned All-American honors in basketball in 1981 and accepted a Division 1 athletic scholarship to the University of Texas at El Paso. At UTEP, he was a dual-sport athlete, playing both football and basketball for the Miners. Bill was a four-year starter on the football team, serving as an offensive guard and long snapper on special teams. While at UTEP, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. After college, he signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.
While at UTEP, Bill met the love of his life, Karyn Nelson. The two were married on May 25, 1985, in El Paso, Texas. Together, they raised three wonderful children: Bill Jr., Steven, and Kimberly.
After his football career, Bill returned to Tularosa, where he worked alongside his father at the Ed Turner Agency. He remained active in his community, coaching youth football, basketball, and Little League baseball, especially for his own children. A proud supporter of the Tularosa High School Wildcats, he could often be seen cheering on the football and basketball teams with his dad by his side.
Bill had many passions, including horse racing. He was a proud member of the New Mexico Horse Breeders Association and the Tularosa Lions Club. He spent cherished time with his family at Ruidoso Downs and Sunland Park Racetrack, supporting the many quarter horses he co-owned with his father and brothers, Joe and Jim.
Bill was immensely proud of his children and their accomplishments in life. He loved reminiscing about his high school and college days, sharing stories, and-true to form-rooting against the Dallas Cowboys.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his three brothers, Ed (and wife Vicky), Joe, and Jim Turner; his in-laws, Floyd and Carolyn Nelson; his nephew, Eddie Turner; and his cousin, Clyde “Bulldog” Turner.
He is survived by Karyn; his children and their families: Bill Jr. and Kristin and their children, Matthew, Kenneth, and Abygail; Steven and Mychel and their children, Olivia, Scarlett, and Devan; and Kimberly and Daniel Manzella and their children, Paxton and Theodore. He also leaves behind nieces Dawn, Shannon, Grace, and Suzanne; and nephews James, Ben, Jimmy, Charlie, McCabe, and George.
A celebration of Bill’s life will take place on Saturday, May 10, at 11:00 a.m. at Tularosa Community Church. Burial will follow immediately at the Fairview Cemetery. A potluck gathering will be held afterwards at the church. Guests are welcome to bring a covered dish; please avoid dishes containing peanuts due to allergies.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
Epilepsy Foundation https://give.epilepsy.com/page/33651/donate/1
Autism Partnership Foundation https://www.classy.org/give/237784/#!/donation/checkout
LMBRD2 Beautiful and Rare Foundation https://lmbrd2.org/
