Lewis Turner

“Life is like an ice cream cone, you have to lick it one day at a time.“ - Charles M. Schultz

Lewis William Turner, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, and jokester, 87 years young, passed away Sunday, August 8, 2021 from stroke complications. His Celebration of Life will be held 3:00 PM Sunday, August 15, 2021 at James A. McAlister Chapel, 1620 Savannah Highway, Charleston. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Lewis was born April 2, 1934 in Kinards, South Carolina, the third son of James and Mary Turner. He grew up on a dairy farm, launching a lifelong career in the dairy industry. Upon graduation from Silver Street High School, he began working for Coble Dairy. One of his customers was Hat’s Grill where, on July 10, 1955, he met the owner’s daughter and love of his life, Shirley Hatfield. They married June 7, 1959. By 1966, they were happily raising four children.

Lewis enjoyed most of his career with Borden Dairy in Charleston as Regional Manager for coastal South and North Carolinas. The family enjoyed unlimited ice cream and served as test subjects for new flavors. He first retired in 1995, but refusing to become sedentary, he worked at subsequent jobs up until June 30, 2021.

As empty nesters, Lewis and Shirley realized life is too short to stay in one place. They enjoyed diverse travels and were never hesitant to try new adventures, from nearby mountain trips to helicoptering over Hawaiian volcanoes.

Lewis is survived by his wife of 62 years, Shirley Hatfield Turner, daughters Bonnie Jones and Karen Hawkins (Philip), sons William (Manuel) and Michael (Joseph), granddaughters Courtney Hawkins (Devon) and Bentley Breaux (Thomas), grandsons Jeremy Jones (Jordan) and Christopher Hawkins, fur baby Pancho, and many cherished nieces and nephews. Lewis was predeceased by his parents James and Mary Turner; brothers Robert, Joseph, and Malcolm Turner; and brother and sister-in-law Gerald and Carolyn Douglas.

Our family sincerely thanks Saint Francis PCU nurses Haley and Sara, ICU nurse Michael, and the compassionate staff of Roper Hospice Cottage, who supported us and cared for our beloved Lewis with love and dignity. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Charleston Animal Society, former home of his boy Pancho.