William Turknett Obituary

William Irving Turknett YEMASSEE, SC - Mr. William Irving Turknett, 78, of Pocotaligo Road near Yemassee, SC, died early Friday morning October 22, 2010, at his residence after an extended illness. Born Jan. 16, 1932, in Jacksonville, FL, he was the son of the late Irving Allen Turknett and Sadie McCroan Turknett. Mr. Turknett served his county in The United States Marine Corp during the Korean War and was the owner and operator of Turk Construction Company in Melbourne, FL. He was of the Protestant faith and was an avid outdoorsman who especially loved to hunt and fish in the Lowcountry. He attended The University of Florida, Division of Forestry and was a Florida Gator through and through. Go Gators! Surviving besides his beloved wife, Shirley Highsmith Turknett of the home are three sons: William I. (Chip) Turknett, Jr. and wife Cindy of Melbourne, FL, Robert Lansing (Bob) Turknett of Gardens Corner, SC and Bruce Everett Turknett of Orlando, FL; one daughter: Stacy Turknett Zientarski and husband John of Punta Gorda, FL and one half-sister, Lillie Sellers of Donaldsonville, GA. There are 8 grandchildren, 7 great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter who will arrive next month. He was predeceased by one sister, Virginia Purcell. Funeral services, with Military Honors, will be held Monday, October 25, 2010, at 12:00 Noon in the Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, SC. Friends may call Sunday evening from 5 until 7 PM at Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home, 300 Mulberry St. West, Hampton, SC 29924 (803-943-3352). Memorials in his memory may be directed to: Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250. Online condolences may be left for the family by visiting our website at www.peeplesrhodenfuneralhome.com. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/ deaths