Obituary

William "Bill" Turbett passed away on February 4 ^th , 2022.  He was born on January 14, 1934 in Glasgow, Scotland to Minnie (Harkins) and William Turbett.

He is pre-deceased by Nella Marian, to whom he was married for 57 years; son Robert Stuart, daughter-in-law Vincetta; parents William and Minnie; and sister Eleanor.  He is survived by sons Andrew (Tracey) and Gavin (Paula); grandchildren James, William, Katherine, Matthew, Alexandria, Scott, Margaret, and Deirdre.

Bill was the quintessential American Success Story.  He was born to a working-class Glasgow couple, and joined a year later by his sister.  After his father passed away from tuberculosis when Bill was five, his mother struggled, shuttling between jobs in Glasgow and London.  The outbreak of World War II caused the family to be evacuated and reunited several times.

At age 17, Bill emigrated to Canada.  He arrived in St. John, New Brunswick with little more than $20 and a few clothes.  He found a job with General Motors as a clerk, and was soon transferred to Windsor.

In 1954, during a summer afternoon of canoeing with friends at Belle Isle, Bill met Marian Outland.  The two quickly fell in love and were married in August of that same year.  After a brief time living in Windsor, where Bill had now joined Ford Motor, they moved to Detroit. A year later, they welcomed Robert to their family.  Bill joined the drafting department at Ford Transmission and Chassis Division and the family moved to Nankin Township in 1957 so he could be closer to work.  Two years later, Andrew joined the family with Gavin arriving in 1964.

Bill had a passion for experiencing the opportunities that life in the United States offered.  He enjoyed sailing (including in the infamous "boat in the basement"); cycling, cooking (and dining!), and, particularly, learning.

His family will miss him.