Billy Joe Turnage

Billy Joe Turnage passed away on Saturday, February 03, 2018 at the age of 83. He was a native of Conway, Mississippi. He was born to the late Ira D. Turnage and Jewell Huggins Turnage on April 02, 1934. Bill was the oldest of 10 children.

After a lengthy illness, his final days were spent with his wife of almost thirteen years; Janet Perkins Turnage, along with his brother-in-law; Robert W. Walters. Bill and Janet were married on April 24, 2005.

He is preceded in death by his first wife; Virginia Hanson Turnage of nearly forty years, his baby sister; Ruth Ellen Turnage, sister; Betty Sheppard (Robert), brother; Roy Turnage (Patricia), and brothers-in-law; Kenneth Perkins, Everett Perkins, and sister-in-law; Geralyn Perkins Walters.

He is survived by his daughter; Wendy T. Kilroy (Mark), grandchildren; Gerardo “Manny” Suazo, Frank Kilroy and Agnes Kilroy, great-grandchildren; Lorena and Alijandro Suazo, step-son; Gerald M. Kaczmarek, step-grandson; Jackson G. Kaczmarek, his brothers; Harvey Turnage (JoAnn), Marvin Turnage (Flo), Pat Turnage (Lynn), Wayne Turnage (Sue), Mike Turnage (Brenda), Larry Turnage (Rose), sisters-in-law; Nellie Drain Perkins and Mary Frances Perkins Houser, brother-in-law; Robert W. Walters, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Bill is also survived by a maternal aunt; Mary Nell Kendrick, from Alabama. She is only a few years older than him.

Bill retired from Werlein’s as a piano tuner and technician for over fifty years. He also worked for Mitchell’s piano and several other piano companies. He went to the Mississippi School for the blind, which is where he got his training. He was legally blind. He tuned pianos for some famous people like Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint, Barry Manilow, Liberace and many more.

Bill was a member of the First Baptist Church of Gonzales, Louisiana and was an avid Tulane University sports fan.

He came to New Orleans in 1957. He lived in New Orleans, Metairie, and Gonzales. When Hurricane Katrina hit, he moved to Gonzales with his wife Janet for 9 years and 9 months. They moved back to New Orleans in June 2015 because his brother-in-law Bob needed family close by.

A private burial will take place at Lusk Cemetery in Gonzales, Louisiana at a later date. On-line condolences may be left for the family at www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com.