W. Ray Turley, Jr.
July 25, 1923 ~ February 10, 2009
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Winfield Ray Turley, Jr., 85, passed away at his home in Asheville on February 10, 2009 after a brief illness.
Ray was born in Huntington, WV on July 25, 1923. He graduated from Greenbriar Military School in Lewisburg, WV in 1942. He also was a graduate of the University of Kentucky. At UK, he was a two-sport athlete where he played football and basketball under the legendary coach, Adolph Rupp. He also was on the Student Council and president of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Ray's college career was interrupted by his service in the U.S. Army, where he served in Okinawa, Japan, with the 71st Master Battalion. He achieved the rank of 1st Lieutenant as a forward observer. Following graduation in 1949, he began a distinguished career in men's retail, most notably at Neiman Marcus, Jos. A. Bank and Norton Ditto.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Winfield Ray Turley and Gwendolyn Chambers of Madison, WV. He is survived by his beloved wife Delores (Lori) Doerr of Asheville, formerly of Houston, TX.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Gwen Spann of Charlotte, NC; Tom Cheek and wife Fran of Lexington, KY, Winfield Cheek of Austin, TX; granddaughter, Lyde Spann of New York, NY and grandson, Bennett Spann and wife Diana of Atlanta, GA. He also is survived by his sister, Sue Ann Ogden of Vero Beach, FL. Other survivors include his niece, Elizabeth Wellons, nephews, A.L. Hobgood, III, Kenneth Hobgood and Thomas Hobgood, all of North Carolina and nephews Win Ogden and Steve Ogden of Florida.
A memorial service wll be held at 1 pm Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009 in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CarePartners Health Services, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.
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Ray was a great Jos A Bank store manager when working part-time for a few months. Whenever returning to Houston after moving to Las Vegas it was always fun shopping at the store. He was always well regarded whenever mentioning his name at other stores in different cities.
Ray was a great Jos A Bank store manager when working part-time for a few months. Whenever returning to Houston after moving to Las Vegas it was always fun shopping at the store. He was always well regarded whenever mentioning his name at other stores in different cities.
Ann was introduced to Ray at the Jos. A. Banks because a sales person noticed her last middle name was ‘Turley’. Later that same evening Ray came to the Shell Christmas dance as Lori’s date not expecting to know anyone. It was a great surprise (!) and gave us an opportunity to talk about the Turley family. Such small worlds! Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Lori,
I will always have such fond memories of you and Ray out by the pool at Stoney Brook on Sunday mornings with your Bloody Marys. Such fun times. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Dear Lori, I was just notified of Ray’s death by a dear friend in Houston and wanted you to know that I am thinking of you during this difficult time. Please give my love to Sue Ann and tell her that I send her my thoughts and prayers as well.
Sincerely,
Beth Romney (Turley)
Lori: Bonnie sent us an e-mail telling us of Ray’s passing. We never met Ray, but he had to be very special because you selected him as your husband. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. We are just 45 minutes away.
Bill and Barbara
Dear Lori,
I learned today of Ray’s Memorial Service tomorrow. I’m so sorry I won’t be able to attend due to a prior commitment scheduled for Saturday. Please know Lori, that Ray and you are in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that God would grant him eternal rest in Heaven and that He would grant you His peace in mind and soul at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Bob