William 'Bill' James Turley was born December 5, 1919, in rural Ness County, KS to the late Robert Alfred and Mary Alma (Borstz) Turley. He passed away Saturday, April 16, 2011, in the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital at WaKeeney at the age of 91.

As a child, he attended schools in rural Gove County. Bill served in the United States Navy on the USS Regulus from May 25, 1944 until he was honorably discharged in January 18, 1946.


On August 24, 1940, Bill was united in marriage to Verda Artz in Scott City. Bill and Verda moved to the Arnold Community in 1946 where they farmed and raised cattle. Verda passed away April 30, 1995.


Bill was a member of the Arnold United Methodist Church and a lifetime member of the Ransom VFW. He moved to WaKeeney in 1990. His favorite pastimes were playing card, especially rummy and pitch.


Those left to mourn his passing are his children, Jim Turley and wife, Linda, of WaKeeney; Betty Jean Tenny and husband, Van, of Dodge City, Karen Fowler and husband, Chuck, of Corpus Christi, TX; eight granddaughters, Dawn Muncy and husband, Doug, Misti Elliott and husband, Darin, Kim Talley, Kristin Kraatz and husband, Brad, Lonna Henry, Traci Turley, Kyra Turley, and Jami Albers and husband, Seth; fourteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Ralph Turley of Ava, MO; and a sister, Elsie Wren of CA.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Verda; a great-grandson, Maddox Albers; three brothers, Robert, Earl, and Clarence, Turley; and four sisters, Gertrude Turley, Estella Fairchild, Vanna Hatler, and Dorothy Blume.

Visitation for Bill is 5:30-7:30 PM Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney and funeral services will be 2:00 PM Thursday, April 21, 2011 in the Arnold United Methodist Church. Interment is in the Arnold Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the church and can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.