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Nov. 17, 1950 – July 13, 2024

FAYETTE – Celebration of Live Services for Will T. Turner, Jr., will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Shiloh First Baptist Church, 2686 Main Street, Fayette.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, from 4 until 6 p.m. at Spencer Funeral Home, 131 Charles Evers Street, Fayette.

“To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Today, we celebrate the life of a Christian man, who was a great and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, avid hunter and fisherman, and one of the greatest contractors in the surrounding area.

Deacon Will T. Turner, Jr., affectionately called Sonny, was born in Jefferson County, MS on Nov. 17, 1950, to Florence “Cute” and Will T. Turner, Sr.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Perry Turner.

At an early age, he was baptized by the late Rev. Monroe J. Irving and joined the Hollywood Baptist Church. He later united with Shiloh First Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Larry Jackson. He loved his church and served faithfully as a deacon until his health failed. He loved singing and was known for leading Dr. Watts’s hymns, among his favorites were Father I Stretch My Hands to Thee, I Love the Lord-He Heard My Cry, and Shine on Me.

He received his early education in the Jefferson County School System and graduated from Liddell High School in the Mighty Class of 1969. After graduating, he enrolled at Alcorn A&M College. Sonny left college to enter the workforce and joined his father in the construction business where he mastered his skills as a contractor.

On May 27, 1972, Will T., Jr. married Doreacer Brinkley Turner. To this union three children, Selwyn, MaKeba, and Kendall were born. This marriage was dissolved. On Sept. 4, 1999, Will T. Jr. and Cathleen Buie were united in holy matrimony. To this union, he gained, two sons, Landra, Jr., and Derrick.

His memories will forever be cherished in the hearts of those he loved and those who will forever love him: a loving and devoted wife, Cathleen B. Turner of Port Gibson; daughter, Dr. MaKeba S. Turner (affectionately referred to by him as “Hip’; four sons, Selwyn (Sharon) Turner, Kendall Turner all of Fayette, Landra Washington, Jr. of Natchez, and Derrick Washington of Port Gibson; five sisters, Delories “Bonnie” Turner, Mary Turner Irving, Tina Turner (Frank) Lucien all of Fayette, Patrica Turner (Paul) Cheeks of Ridgeland, MS and Janice Turner (Walter) Armstrong of Vicksburg, MS; sixteen grandchildren, Mahkya, Chiquiciana, Rihanna, Kendall Jr., Kendrell, Kejuan, Kedon, Kelwyn, KeMiya, DeAndre, Shikera, Jabari, Kelvion, Jalan, Dmitri, Jayvon and I’Alana; two great-grandchildren, Taniya and Cobryn; first cousins reared as brothers, Monroe (Bobbie) Clark of New Orleans, LA and James (Jolillian) “Scat” Jackson of Fayette; sister-in-law, Paulette Haley of Fayette; six brothers-in-law, Dwayne (Valerie) Buie of Madison, MS, Elbert (Kim) Buie of Minneapolis, MN, Wilbert (Inez) Williams of Chicago, IL, John C. Buie of Fayette, Daniel (Renee) Buie and Harry Union of Charlotte, NC and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.