Walton Dee "Walt" Turnbo

Walton Dee "Walt" Turnbo was born on August 3, 1937, in Beech Creek, near Clifton, Tennessee, to George Allen Turnbo, Sr. and Flora Day Pevahouse. He was the youngest of ten children. Walt's alma mater was Frank Hughes School in Clifton, Tennessee.

Walt married the late Betty Ruth Stafford on March 13, 1955, in Corinth, Mississippi. In 1956, they had a daughter, Vickie Marie, who died as an infant. Soon afterwards the couple moved to Lincoln Park, Michigan, where they had their second child, Linda Diana, in 1957. While the family lived in Michigan, Walt worked at Fleetwood Cadillac, in Detroit. In 1962, the family welcomed a son, Michael Dee, and in 1963, a daughter, Cathy Lynn. In 1969, the family moved back to Adamsville, Tennessee. For the next three decades, Walt worked at the Pipe Mill in Counce, Tennessee. Walt was the President of the local branch of the U.S.W.A. for over twenty years.

Walt was a member of the Pickwick Shrine Club, and provided care and hope to sickly and disabled children within the care of himself and other Shriners. He was also a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Freemason, who belonged to the Masonic Lodge in Savannah, Tennessee. Walt also enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, cooking, and spending time with loved ones. He possessed a strong faith in God, and was a member of Adamsville First Baptist Church.

He departed this life on July 3, 2024, at his home in Savannah at the age of 86.

Walt was preceded in death by his parents, George Allen and Flora Turnbo, as well as his siblings, Tim Edward Turnbo, Myrtle Aslee Warren, Alton Brown Turnbo, Hazel Pauline Langston, Della Christine Pulley, Ardes Marie Pierce, W. B. Turnbo, Carrie Rubenia Turnbo, and George Allen Turnbo, Jr. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Betty Ruth Stafford, as well as three of his children, Vickie Marie Turnbo, Michael Dee Turnbo, and Cathy Lynn Franks.

He is survived by a daughter, Linda Wicker, of Adamsville; three grandchildren, Justin Wicker (wife Stephanie), of Adamsville, Patrick Franks (wife Drew), of Savannah, and Katie Holt (husband, Jon-Nathan), also of Savannah. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Drake Wicker, Ella Garrison, Cora Holt, and Barron Franks.