Wilburn Wallace Turner

Wilburn Wallace Turner, affectionately known as “Pap,” “Uncle Wallace,” or “ww.com” by those close to him, was born on January 21, 1931 to Dewitt and Eunice Turner. Growing up in Grapeland, Pap always described his childhood as very country. Pap ran around barefoot and ate sugarcane straight from the stalk. At 17- years old, Pap joined the Navy, where he served his country for 2 years. At 30-years old, Wallace married Joyce Christine Clinard, and they started building their lives together. Though Pap only had an 8th-grade education, he was very smart and worked hard for his family as a skilled carpenter, and was part of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Union Local 213. Throughout his entire life, anyone that knew him knew that he was stubborn and he was going to do anything he put his mind to. Pap also loved to garden (he grew the BEST tomatoes), enjoyed hunting & fishing, liked to watch T.V. (with the volume all the way up), and continued to do home improvement projects even into his 90’s. He was a good storyteller and always made people laugh with his quick wit and silly sayings. As a grandfather, Pap took on the role of chauffer, often carting around Nana and the grandkids, and as a great-grandfather, Pap ensured the great-grandkids always left with a treat, frequently pulling out a grocery sack and filling it with multiple goodies.

On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, Pap passed away surrounded by those that loved him, both physically and in spirit. Though he is already greatly missed, we know that he is no longer in pain and he was ready to be re-united with his late wife and son.  

Wallace was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Joyce Christine Turner, and his son, Royce A. Turner, along with many other family member’s (he was 93, after all). He is survived by his sister, Eunice “Sissy” Faye, and daughters Kristy Johnson, and husband John, Shelley Laugerman, and husband Ken, and Kelly McCauley, and husband Shane. Pap leaves behind many grandchildren including, Richard Johnson, Alex Johnson, and fiance Jasmine, Kyle Johnson, Sydney Beene, and husband Tyler, Jacob Laugerman, Cody Turner, Blake Turner, and Sadie McCauley. Pap also leaves behind multiple great-grandchildren including, Scarlett & Madden Beene, and Holden & Holly Johnson.

The immediate family will receive extended family and friends at Deer Park Funeral Home, located at 336 E San Augustine St, Deer Park, TX 77536 at 11:00am on Monday, August 5, 2024, with the funeral services starting at 12:00pm. The interment will follow at Grandview Cemetery, 8501 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX 77505.

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