William "Melvin" Turner, Jr.

William “Melvin” Turner, Jr., 91, of Cambridge passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at his home with his loving family by his side. He was born on September 12, 1931 at Easton Memorial Hospital to W. Melvin Turner, Sr. and Marian Brinsfield Turner.

The family moved to Cambridge in 1935, when the Harrington Bridge opened. He attended East Cambridge Elementary School, then Cambridge Middle School and graduated from Cambridge High School in May of 1948. He attended Goldey Beacom College in Wilmington, DE.

He joined the U.S. Air Force in October 7, 1949 prior to the Korean War he attended schools in Texas, Wyoming and Colorado. He married Joyce Kirwan on July 4, 1951. They returned to Texas, where he was stationed prior to Japan and Korea deployments for seventeen months. Upon returning he was stationed in Baltimore, MD until being honorably discharged on October 6, 1953.

He worked for C&P Telephone Company until it became Bell Atlantic (later Verizon) and he retired in January of 1991. After retirement he enjoyed traveling with his wife throughout the United States and Europe. He was a member of Zion United Methodist Church since his marriage in 1951 and a member of Cambridge Lodge #66 AF &AM for over 50 years. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #91, VFW Post #7460, past secretary/treasurer of Tidewater Farm Club and past Chaplain BPOE Elks Lodge #1272. He was a devoted husband and father and a great friend to all who knew him.

Besides his wife Joyce, he is survived by two sons Joe Kirwan Turner and wife Joyce Willey Turner and Michael David Turner, two grandsons Joshua Ryan Turner and Coty Ivins Turner, two granddaughters Christian Turner and Rebecca Turner, three great granddaughters Moriah, Sophie and Jade Turner and a brother Merrill Turner and nephew Charles Turner. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a son William M. Turner III and two great grandsons William M. Turner IV and Lucas Lee Stockwell.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, March 17, 2023 at 1pm at Zion United Methodist Church with Rev.’s Tonya McClain and Mike Hurley officiating. Family will receive friends from 12pm to 1pm. A Masonic service will begin at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Zion United Methodist Church, General Fund, 612 Locust Street, Cambridge, MD 21613 or to Coastal Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802. Arrangements are in the care of the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge.