Walter Champ Turner Jr.

Walter Champ Turner, Jr., 88, passed away Friday, August 1, 2025.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 1100 S. Harrison, Amarillo, TX, at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 7, 2025, with Rev. Drs. Howard Griffin, Murray Gossett and Rev. Dan Carter officiating. Champ was a proud Red Raider-feel free to wear red and black in his honor. There will be a private family interment service at Llano Cemetery beforehand. Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 6, from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

Champ was born on March 22, 1937, in El Paso, TX, to Walter Champ Turner, Sr., and Lucille Glass Turner. When he was four years old, Champ did not like being called Walter or Jr., so he developed a friendship with a local trash collector named Bill. He decided this was a fine name and announced to his family that he wanted to be called Bill. To this day, his sister and her family still call him by that name.

Champ and his family moved frequently during his childhood. He started school in Albuquerque, NM, and graduated from high school in Corona, NM-attending 12 schools in between, across New Mexico, Texas, California, and Arizona!

Champ attended Texas Tech University when it was still known as Texas Technological College. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, serving as chapter president. Through that fraternity, he developed lifelong friendships and bonds that remain strong to this day. Champ was voted Most Handsome Man on Campus an honor that embarrassed him until the end, but one his family and friends always enjoyed mentioning. He graduated in 1960 with a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering.

Champ met his beautiful wife, Nancy Carmichall, while attending Tech, and they married in 1959. They were just shy of their 66th wedding anniversary on August 15, 2025.

Champ's first job out of college was in Salt Lake City, Utah, with EPNG Pacific Northwest Pipeline, where their daughter Shelly was born. The family then moved to Hurst, TX, where Champ worked for Nancy's father at Western Builders Supply Company, and their first son, Garland, was born. In 1962, Champ took a job with Pioneer Natural Gas in Amarillo, where their second son, Lance, was born. He joined Diamond Shamrock (now Valero) in 1967 and worked there until his retirement in 1997. Champ and Nancy found their "forever" home in Amarillo, and - except for five moves to different houses (and one apartment) - he never had to change towns or states again.

A very important part of Champ's life was serving God and others at First Presbyterian Church. He served as an Elder, a Deacon, a Stephen Minister, a longtime choir member, and a member of many committees. His favorite activity— until he could no longer attend-was the Monday Morning Men's Prayer Breakfast, where he developed treasured, lifelong friendships.

Champ was also a strong believer in serving his community. He served on the community boards of the YMCA, Opportunity School, South Amarillo Kiwanis (where he served as president), Children's Home, United Way, Meals on Wheels (he delivered meals for 25 years), and the Golden Spread Flyfishing Club (where he also served as president).

Champ enjoyed nearly every kind of sporting activity— whether participating or watching. It was rare not to find a sporting event on his TV. In his early years in Amarillo, he played in basketball leagues until a knee injury sidelined him. He also enjoyed tennis, but his greatest passions were golf and fly fishing. His favorite sports to watch were basketball and football - especially college level and his beloved Red Raiders. He always hoped Texas Tech would bring home a Big 12 Championship football trophy and that the school would once again have a male Masked Rider. Perhaps he'll witness it in Heaven! He was also a huge supporter of his kids and grandkids in all their pursuits - whether track, tennis, basketball, football, soccer, band, choir, art, or theater.

Champ and Nancy enjoyed traveling in the US and abroad and made many wonderful memories together (some of these trips involved visiting their wanderlust children). Some of their favorite places were Italy, Prague and Croatia. In recent years, Santa Fe became a favorite destination.

Champ was a devoted husband and father - faithful, loving, and a good provider for his family. He was honest in every way, generous, and a humble, good man. Champ's big smile always made him approachable, and he was respected by colleagues, friends, and family alike. He was an avid reader, loved a good song he could dance to, loved the challenge of crossword puzzles and always took his time telling a good story. He was deeply loved by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Jean Pucci, and a nephew, Kit Bowhay.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Turner, and his children and their spouses: Shelly and Rus Hooper of Granbury, TX; Garland Turner and Anne Hebert of Austin, TX; and Lance and Julie Turner of Aledo, TX. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Tanara Heeler, Heath Hooper, Sara Hooper Petro and her husband Chris, William Champ Turner, Brett Turner, Champ Michael Turner, and Hays Turner; and by four great-grandchildren: Michael, Hailey, Kemryn, and Abigail. Other surviving family members include his sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Bill Bowhay of Odessa, TX; a niece, Christy Garnsey; and a nephew, Glenn Bowhay.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to First Presbyterian Church - San Jacinto Mission Projects, 1100 S. Harrison St., Amarillo, TX 79101/online at firstpres.com or to an organization of your choice.