Ltc (Ret) Philip Beil Turner

LTC (Ret) Phil Turner, 75, of Metter, died Monday, July 13, 2015 in Savannah after a brief illness. He was a native of Louisiana, but had lived in Georgia for approximately 40 years. He was a career army officer who spent 20 years in the military, deploying with the 1st Infantry Division to Vietnam in 1965. His significant decorations included the Bronze Star, Army Commander Medal, three Army Meritorious Service Medals and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. After retirement from the military in 1982, LTC Turner moved to Statesboro and was the Senior Army Instructor for the Statesboro High School JROTC. He again retired in 2001, moved to Metter and began substitute teaching and was an assistant football coach. Phil was a "rabid" football fan. He attended New Mexico Military Institute Junior College. He was a member of the National Championship team in 1958 and was later elected to the school Hall of Fame. He also graduated in 1962 from Louisiana State University, where he was a member of the football team. LTC Turner was also an avid golfer, a member of the Willow Lake Senior Golfer's group and a Baptist.

Survivors are his wife of 23 years, Linda Hooks Turner, of Metter; a son, Jason Lanier and his wife, Brandi, of Vidalia; four grandchildren who were his most prized possessions, Aiden Lanier, Jocie Lanier, Kaylee McGowan, and Kylee McGowan; his mother-in-law, Katherine Hooks and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles G. and Ellen Turner and his father-in-law, Edward Hooks.

A Service of Remembrance will be held Friday, July 17, 2015, at 1:00 pm at Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, in Metter with CH (MAJ) Terry Kesling, Garrison Chaplain Hunter Army Airfield, officiating. A short committal service will be held at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Glennville at 3:00 PM. Guest book: www.kennedyfuneralhomes.com. Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, of Metter is in charge of arrangements.