Obituary of Norwich sportsman Billy Turner who died aged 74

A highlight of his working career was an invitation to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party when he was presented to her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth.

Almost 250 family members, friends and players from bowls, football and darts packed St Faith’s Crematorium for the final stage of “Billy’s last journey.”

Richard William Turner, always known as Billy, who was born on March 11, 1950, was the youngest of 10 born to parents Albert and Ethel.

He couldn’t wait to leave school and aged 14 went to work for Norvic Boot & Shoe Company as a laster.

There, he met a young machinist, Christine, aged 15, and they married on March 7, 1970.

After their first daughter, Diana, was born, they suffered the tragedy of three stillborn babies before their son Gavin and finally Lisa were born.

When Norvic failed, he worked briefly for Zenith Windows before joining Norwich-based Sinclair International Fresh Produce, which became the world’s leading grocery packaging specialist. 

He spent 27 years as a forklift operator and van driver before retiring aged 67. While there he was given the opportunity to attend Buckingham Palace, which he greatly appreciated.

On the football field, he was very competitive and was never known to be beaten in the air.

He played darts and also for a number of local football teams over the years until about 20 years ago, he started playing bowls – both indoors and outdoors, initially with Anglian Windows and later as the team’s manager.

Well-known on the Mile Cross estate, he started a tradition of decorating his home with a great Christmas display of lights, which was featured in the Eastern Evening News in 2001.

He leaves Christine, three children, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

The family asked for donations to SANDS, the Stillbirth and Neonatal Charity, recorded on the East of England Co-op Funeral Services. Almost £1000 has been donated in his memory.