William Leslie Turns III

William Leslie Turns III, of Richmond, VA and Weems, VA, died peacefully at his waterside home in the Northern Neck on Saturday, March 30, 2024, 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, VA, 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 metalwork. 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 44years, Nancy Norfleet Turns; his daughters Jennifer Turns Castano and son in law Diego Castano, Leslie Franklin and son in law Steve Franklin; stepson Robert N. Stoll; grandchildren Cody Sprinkle, Austin Sprinkle, Daniel Castano, Colin Franklin, Elizabeth Franklin, and niece Anna Brickhouse.

 A service and celebration of Bill’s Life will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 11:30 AM in Westview Cemetery. Puckett Funeral Home is serving the family. www.puckettfh.com.