Will Henry "Buckett" Turner, Jr.

Will Henry “Buckett” Turner Jr. was born on February 2, 1951, to the late Will Henry Turner Sr. and Lucille Lane Turner in Clarksdale, Mississippi. During his time in High School, he became known as “Buckett” from his well renowned days on the football field.  He met his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Arlene Jeanette Arnold. While they were inseparable in high school, they both went to further their education in College. After graduating from college, and dating for 10 years, they were married in Jackson, MS in 1975 and decided to start their family and moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1977. During the time of their marriage, they gave birth to their first child and beloved son Donovan Bernard Turner. Many years later, they embraced into the world a beautiful daughter, Deidra Denise Turner. 

Will was not just an amazing husband and father, but a disciple for Christ, One of his favorite scriptures he loved to meditate on was Psalms 91:1-16. While he gave his life to Christ at a young age, after moving to Memphis, Tennessee, he and his family joined Greater White Stone Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Joseph McGee Jr. After McGee’s transition, William continued serving as a faithful Deason and Sunday School Teacher under the presiding leadership, Pastor Roger Brown. 

Will attended HBCU, Jackson State University, where he received his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Kinesiology. After graduating college, he knew that he wanted to mentor, coach, and teach. He joined the Memphis City School family where he served 35 years in teaching and leading. In 2014, Will retired as an Assistant Principal from Fairly High School. He was an inspiring teacher, mentor, and coach. He was a real father to everyone he served. His students loved his teaching methodology because his words were always relevant to life and they were able to make a connection with him.  His first goal in life was to get to heaven. His second was to be God’s man. His third was to pray daily. Everything he was and did flowed from his deep love for Christ, his family and his community. His life was never about him—it was always about serving others.

Will was the heartbeat to his family. He was the glue that held everyone together. He always enjoyed spending time with family, and was known as the one who loved to cook and cooked with love. Cooking was relaxing and joyful for him, especially around the holidays. There was nothing better than family coming together to fellowship and love. William also enjoyed traveling, fishing, and catching up with old friends.

On Saturday morning, October 24, 2020, in a quiet manner, “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’”(Matthew 25:23). Will received his eternal wings at his home in Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 69, surrounded by his wife and children.

Visitation will be Thursday November 5, 2020 from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Thursday at Royal Funeral Home, 507 Ashton Ave., Clarksdale, MS 38614.  There will be a second visitation Friday November 6, 2020 from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at M.J. Edwards Funeral Home (Whitehaven Location), 5494 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116.  A graveside service will be Saturday November 7, 2020, 10:00 AM at New Park Cemetery, 4536 Horn Lake Road, Memphis, TN 38109.  Rev. Roger Stone, pastor of Greater Whitestone M.B. Church, Memphis, TN will be officiating.

Will leaves to celebrate his life by his devoted wife, Arlean Jeanette Arnold Turner, his only beloved son, Donovan Bernard Turner, and his adoring daughter Deidra Denise Turner. He was preceded in death by his late sister and brother Annazette Turner and Leon Turner. He leaves his surviving siblings, Bernadette “Bonnie” Turner, Linda Terry, Darnell Turner, Larry (Etta) Turner, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, the Greater White Stone Missionary Baptist Church family, and very dear friends.