Dec. 6, 1923 – Jan. 30, 2013

NATCHEZ — Services for William P. “Red” “Pete” Turner, 89, of Vidalia, who died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Bude, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Cranfield Baptist Church with the Rev. Curt Wilson officiating.

Burial with military honors will follow at the church cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Mr. Turner was born Dec. 6, 1923, in Scott County, the son of Merrell A. Turner Sr. and Annie Bowman Turner. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army.

He was a member of Cranfield Baptist Church and the retired owner and operator of Red Turner Roofing Company in Vidalia.

Mr. Turner was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, James Turner and Merrell Turner Jr.; and two grandsons, Joseph Turner Jr. and William D. Turner.

Survivors include his wife, Diann Turner; three daughters, Shirley Smith and husband, Lee, of Helena, Ark., Betty Sanson and husband, Joe Paul, of Broussard, La., and Sarah Nelson and husband, Mitchell, of Natchez; one son, Joe Turner of Vidalia; one brother, Hershel G. Turner and wife, Jean, of Clinton; three stepchildren, Leathia “Tiny” Cain and husband, James, of Houma, La., James Ainsworth of West Monroe, La., and Richard K. Ainsworth of Ferriday; 13 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; mother of his children, Katherine Childers of Natchez; one special sister-in-law, Marilyn Huff of Bude; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Tony Wiley, Josh Cazalot, Richard K. Ainsworth, Tommy Sullivan, Steven Parker, Tommy Parker, Tyler Neely and Richard Ratcliffe.

Honorary pallbearers will be Lee Smith, Joe Paul Sanson, Mitchell Nelson, Joseph Turner and Clyde Boling.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.