Joe H. Turner

Spartanburg, SC- Joe Hal Turner, 86, passed away on Sunday November 2, 2014 at his residence after an extended illness. Joe was born on September 21, 1928 to Otis Maybin and Willie Lee Turner. His early childhood was spent enjoying his family home place which was the land parcel that is now Croft State Park. Joe was a graduate of Spartanburg High School, Class of 1946. After high school, Joe served in the United States Air Force as a radar operator stationed on Cape Cod. After leaving the USAF, Joe remained in Boston for a few years where he was employed by American Research Corporation. Upon his return to the Spartanburg Area, Joe assumed the career of his father and oldest brother which was that of a Piano Tuner. Joe worked for his extended family as a Piano Tuner at both Turner Music House in Augusta, GA and Case Brothers Pianos in Spartanburg. He was known by many customers, churches and colleges in the upstate area as “The Piano Doctor” and continued to perform his craft for more than 30 years as a self-employed piano tuner. Music and piano tuning was not only his livelihood but his life. To illustrate this, he passed his talents on to his only son, Joe Hal Turner II (Andrea Jackson Turner) of Gulf Breeze, FL, and he insured that his only daughter, Tara Turner of Joanna, SC, became a proficient pianist. Joe spent countless hours on the bench of numerous pianos playing music with his three adored grandchildren, Chaney Nicole Turner of Spartanburg, Austin Lee Turner and Jackson Cole Turner of Gulf Breeze, Florida. In addition to his children and grandchildren, Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Nancy Maynor Turner, originally of Cowpens. Mr. Turner is also survived by a brother Gerald Fletcher “Dude” Turner, as well as, a fun and cherished group of extended family including numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Joe is preceded in death by his older brother, William “Bill” Turner of Aiken, SC. The family will receive family and friends at the residence on Saturday, November 8, 2014 from Noon until 2pm. A private graveside service will be held in the Lee Family Cemetery within the grounds of Croft State Park at a later date. The family would like to extend special appreciation to Harold and Caroline Smith as well as the Staff of Hospice Care of South Carolina, specifically, Tammy, Meatrice, Beverly, and Rev. Chad Bowen. In remembrance of Joe, memorials may be made to Hospice Care of South Carolina, P O Box 151, Drayton, SC 29333.