James William "Bill" Turner

James William “Bill” Turner, 69, of Pine Knoll Shores, NC, died February 13, 2019, at his home.

A celebration of his life will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 16, 2019, in the chapel at Jarvis Memorial United Methodist Church, 510 S. Washington St., Greenville, NC, where Bill and Elizabeth married almost 32 years ago.

Bill was born on July 30, 1949, in Shelby, NC. He was the son of the late Helen and Jack Turner. He graduated from Western Carolina University in 1971 with a BS degree in Business Administration and Accounting.  There, he formed lifelong friendships with his Delta Sigma Phi fraternity brothers, who affectionately nicknamed him “Spyder” and have called him that for 50 years.

Bill worked as a controller and accounting manager in the hotel and restaurant industry for over 36 years. He met his soulmate and wife Elizabeth in 1984, while they were working for the same company in Myrtle Beach, SC.

An avid sailor and sailing captain, Bill cherished many fond memories of cruising in the Bahamas and the intercoastal waterway with Elizabeth while they lived aboard their sailboats, Wind Willing and Island Gypsy, from 1993 to1997.

Bill is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Whitehurst Turner; mother-in-law, Ann Huffines Whitehurst  of Greenville, NC; in-laws, Helen and Calvin Kirven of Raleigh, NC, Jim and Anne Whitehurst of Greenville, NC; one niece, four nephews, and best friend Eddie Helms of Panama City Beach, FL.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, and father-in-law, JC Whitehurst, Jr.

The family will receive friends after the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Carteret County Humane Society and Animal Shelter (cchsshelter.com) in memory and honor of his best friends and rescue dogs, Babe and Abby, or to Jarvis Memorial UMC.

Online condolences may be made at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory in Morehead City, NC.