Obituary of Loretta May Turner

Loretta May “Billie” Turner Billie Turner, 88, passed away May 12, 2012 at home in Olympia, Washington. She was born December 12, 1923 in Toledo, Washington, to James Vincent and Susie Clara (Brown) Turner; she was one of 11 children. Religious, in a quiet way, she lived and loved a simple life. Her joy was to be around loved ones, whether sitting by a fire with a good cup of Joe watching it rain or taking a car ride on country roads. She always had a smile for everyone she met. Billie was active into her 80s and every morning was the first one up chopping the wood for the fire. Many will remember her as that sweet little lady who lived by East Olympia railroad tracks and would sit in her lawn swing waving at the cars and train conductors going by. She even hitched a ride on the train a time or two in earlier years to her daughter’s house. She fondly spoke about her childhood taking walks on Newaukum Hill where you could see forever, and her encounters with cougars. No matter what she was doing, she would start dancing and sing if some song came on the radio. Children and animals seem to gravitate to her. She found beauty in the simplest things in nature. She loved being smooched by her kids and grandkids, playfully wrestling with each child who would leave thinking “she loves me best, I’m her favorite” (even the older ones felt that way). In difficult times, you could hear her say “Please GOD, give me the strength,” still with a smile on her face. Billie is survived by her sister Esther, of Arizona; brothers James, Clarence and Henry Turner of Centralia, Washington. She leaves behind her children Walter Welsh and wife Janet, of Palm Desert, California; Jimmy Welsh, Mike Turner, Jan “Sissy” Lewis, Bill “Buddy” Turner and wife Sandie, all of Olympia, Washington. Billie’s grandchildren are Jimmy Welsh and wife Lacy, Melissa, Erik, Shannon, Shane and wife Sheena, Chad, Jeff, Cheryl, Jason and Jaime. She also leaves behind six great grandchildren. Billie was preceded in death by husbands Walter Welsh, Norman “Woody” Woodrow Turner; daughter Dorothy (Dotty) Lantz; siblings Jerry, Jack, Harold, Perry, Pearl, Maude; and infant granddaughter Tracey Welsh. With respect to her wishes, there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, you may give to your favorite charity. Please leave memories of Billie or condolences for the family in the Guestbook.