Bill TurnerBill Turner

William Patrick Turner. Born March 12, 1933, 26 miles north of Omaha, Nebraska. Born smack into the middle of Great Depression in rural Nebraska must have been a hard beginning. When Bill was five or six years old and after Bill’s little sister was born, his parents divorced. More tough times ahead. But Bill certainly persevered through it all! During WW2 there was a wave of labor arriving in the major cities across the west coast. It’s in this time the three of them landed in North Portland just 1.6 miles from Roosevelt High School. Bill attended Assumption Catholic Grade School upon his arrival, and after a brief stint at Central Catholic, he would transfer to Roosevelt High. His Senior year quote may have given us a hint as to why Bill didn’t last at Central Catholic, “An hour for toil; a day for sport.”

While attending Roosevelt High School, Bill Turner did a little bit of everything. Boys Glee Club Regent Treasurer, Presidents Club President, Fire Squad Captain, Lettermen’s Club Secretary Treasurer, Optimist Club President, Senior Class Sergeant at Arms, Acted in the school play, “Home Sweet Homicide.”

But Bill’s football prowess truly set him apart. After some JV Track and Field, Bill focused on football his junior and senior seasons at Roosevelt. As a two-year starter for the Roughriders, Bill Turner really made a name for himself during his senior year.

All-City football as a Senior, All-State football as a Senior, Shriner’s All-Star as a Senior.

Combined with an exceptional GPA, Bill earned a scholarship to Willamette University where he split time with the Varsity and Junior Varsity. Originally recruited as an offensive lineman, Bill saw time in the Bearcat Varsity in their opener at fullback and halfback and was said to have had a good showing at ‘packing the leather’.

What we don’t know, as Bill has is in an advanced stage of dementia, is what compelled him to leave Willamette University and join the Army after his Freshmen year. But he did, and boy oh boy did he ever excel there! Bill joined the army as a Rigger in the famed 101st Airbourne Paratroopers squadron. He served three years of active duty.

Upon his return, Bill used his G.I. Bill money earned in the service to enroll at Portland State College. Bill Turner proudly served our country for another five years as a reserve while attending Portland State College.

At PSC, Bill made an immediate impact on a young and inexperienced football team while earning OCC All-Star Honorable Mention at Halfback his sophomore year.

During his Junior season at PSC, he made OCC All-Star Second Team at Tackle. It was a tough decision where to put Bill for league honors because he excelled at so many positions and was so willing to move where the team needed him most. Bill played most of the season with a calcium deposit in the heel of his foot, two games with a broken nose and one game with a broken hand. Showing that kind of toughness earned Bill a spot on the Little American Honorable Mention team at Tight End for his vicious blocking from the slot position that helped to produce a league leading rushing title for the Vikings.

In Bill’s senior season at Portland State College, he led the team in tackles for the second straight season despite losing time again with a rash of injuries. Yet, the linebacker set the tone for a team that sent five players to the OCC All-Star First Team. This included Bill, who made his first OCC All-Star First Team at Linebacker in his final season at PSC.

While attending PSC, Bill was again active in student activities and clubs. President’s Cabinet for Athletics, Letterman’s Club Sergeant-at-Arms.

Bill worked at and retired from the American Airlines baggage department where he worked for over 20 years. When active, Bill loved to fish and boy oh boy did he love his cars! He loved to work on his cars and keep the homestead he shared with his wife in Clatskanie up and running.