William “Billy” Charles Turner of McKinney, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on June 8, 2024, at the age of 55. He was born to Jack and Eloise (Morgan) Turner on September 8, 1968, in Meridian, Mississippi.
Billy married Kristen Houghtalen on September 15, 2001, in Dallas, Texas. In 2006, they adopted their daughter Analicia in Guatemala, who became the pride and joy of his life. Billy was known for his love of board games, grilling, and sports, but above all, he cherished spending time with his family. Combining these activities was his idea of a perfect day. He often planned game nights and barbecues at his in-law's house on weekends and holidays, creating cherished memories with loved ones. Billy had a knack for planning fun "minute to win it" games for Christmas Day and loved cooking and baking special treats for each family member. His generosity was evident in the thoughtful gifts he would bring, the care packages he mailed to college kids, and his constant efforts to make others smile.
Billy had a big heart for people and was always willing to lend a helping hand. His giving nature and great sense of humor endeared him to everyone he met. He had a remarkable ability to build lasting relationships with people from all walks of life, both personally and professionally. He spent most of his career at Blockbuster, holding various positions from working in stores to computer support to human resources. For the last 10 years, Billy played a pivotal role in the growth of Axxess, transforming it from a small company to a global entity. He relished meeting international teams and learning about their cultures, always appreciative of the effort they made to provide him with a cold Diet Pepsi. The relationships he built there were a testament to his warm and engaging personality, and they will endure far beyond his time with the company.
Billy was also a proud graduate of Leadership Dallas, an experience that he held in high regard. This prestigious program helped him develop his leadership skills and further expanded his network of friends and colleagues.
In addition to his professional achievements, Billy had a deep passion for baking. He loved experimenting with new recipes and preparing for his family and friends, always with a big smile on his face. His culinary talents and enthusiasm for sharing good treats brought joy to many gatherings.
Billy's love for sports, especially football, was well known among his family and friends. He was a devoted fan of the Mississippi State Bulldogs, and Saturdays during football season were often spent cheering on his favorite team. His passion for sports was contagious, and he loved discussing game strategies and stats with fellow fans.
Billy is survived by his loving wife, Kristen Turner of McKinney, Texas; his beloved daughter, Analicia Turner of McKinney, Texas; his sister, Wendy Fisher of Meridian, Mississippi, and her husband Ronald and their children, Ally and Colton; his mother, Eloise Turner of Meridian, Mississippi; his mother-in-law, Andrea Houghtalen of Allen, Texas; his sister-in-law, Denise Capurso, and her husband Steve and their children, Leah and Catherine; and his sister-in-law, Stacie Van Voorst, and her husband Kelvin and their children, Ella and Luke.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Turner, and his father-in-law, Steve Houghtalen.
The family will hold a memorial service at First Baptist McKinney on June 18, 2024, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family will be collecting funds to support Analicia in her pursuit of becoming a worship leader this fall. There was nothing Billy loved more than watching her bring people to the Lord through song and helping her follow her calling was his biggest priority.
Billy's humor, kindness, and generosity will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His big heart and giving spirit left an indelible mark on everyone he encountered, and his legacy of love and laughter will live on through the many lives he touched.