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William L. Turns III, 79 of Richmond and Weems, died peacefully at his waterside home in the Northern Neck on Saturday, March 30, after a long struggle with kidney cancer. 

A retired senior vice president and chief electrical engineer with Hankins and Anderson engineering firm, Bill was instrumental in designing projects at government buildings and at U.S. Embassies around the world. 

Bill was born July 10, 1944, in Farmville, the son of Hazel McFadden Turns and William L.Turns Jr. He attended schools in Farmville and received his B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Virginia School of Engineering. As part of his work he traveled often to world capitals as far away as Beijing and Moscow. 

From an early age Bill loved working with his hands, the outdoors, and being on the water. After his retirement, he was a highly skilled woodworker, and later learned and practiced blacksmithing. At his home on Taylors Creek, he was an avid fisherman and enjoyed taking his boat on the Rappahannock River and Chesapeake Bay and nearby waterways. He generously shared these loves and interests with many family members, taking them on fishing and boating trips and giving gifts of his wood and metal work. 

Bill was respected and loved for his unassuming manner, sense of humor, appreciation of nature and his sharing this joy with younger generations. 

Bill is survived by his wife of 44 years, Nancy Norfleet Turns; his daughters, Jennifer Turns Castaño and son-in-law, Diego Castaño, Leslie Franklin and son-in-law, Steve Franklin; stepson, Robert N. Stoll; grandchildren Cody Sprinkle, Austin Sprinkle, Daniel Castaño, Colin Franklin and Elizabeth Franklin and niece, Anna Brickhouse. 

A service and celebration of Bill’s life will be held this summer in mid June. 

Memorial gifts may be made to a charity of your choice.