James William Turner

James William Turner was born March 27, 1932, in the Bucksnort community outside of Fordyce, the oldest child of William Urban and Lottie Lucille Jacobs Turner. He died at the age of 85 on Friday, December 15, 2017, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. James graduated from Fordyce High School in 1950 and studied at Arkansas A&M (now UAM) for two years before joining the Navy during the Korean War. He was stationed in San Diego, California in 1953 when he met Margery Peet in a young adult group at First United Methodist Church of San Diego. They married in that church on June 20, 1956. As newlyweds, James and Marge would visit stores to look at home furnishings. Marge would see something she liked, so James would study the piece, pull out his tape measure to make some measurements, and then declare, "I can build this for you!" Eventually, James returned to his hometown of Fordyce with Marge and their three young sons. He soon established his business, J.W. Turner Manufacturing, which produced cabinets and office furniture from 1967 until 1999 for customers throughout Arkansas and the surrounding states. A skilled draftsman, James spent evenings after a long day's work drawing plans for the next day's projects. When each of his sons was old enough, he was more than happy to employ them and teach them the woodworking trade he had learned from his father, starting with sweeping the floor of the shop. James had corny jokes for every occasion and told them often. "I cut it twice, and it's still too short!" A hard worker, his only hobby until retirement was woodworking. He had a passion for the craft and created many beautiful treasures for family and friends. James was a member of First United Methodist Church of Fordyce, where he served as a trustee and usher. After retirement, he was project manager for the remodeling of the church sanctuary and the building of the Lighthouse among other projects. He enjoyed going to the Lighthouse every week to play cards with good friends. James also was instrumental in the construction of the staircase at the Dallas County Museum. He and Marge enjoyed traveling throughout North America as well as going on camping trips with friends. James is survived by his bride of 61 years, Margery; sister, Charlotte Stell; sons, David (Annie), Randy (Kimberly), and Steven (Sandra); grandsons, Zach (Amy), Trent, and Jacob Turner; great-grandson due in February, Ryan Elliot; and his nieces, nephews, and cousins. His parents and his brother, Barnie Paul, preceded him in death. There will be a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 31, 2017, at First United Methodist Church of Fordyce. Instead of flowers, the family requests memorials to First United Methodist Church, 104 East 4th Street, Fordyce, Arkansas 71742. Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.