Billy Turpin

On October 11, 2021, Dr. Billy Wayne Turpin was called home to join his loving wife at the age of 85 years old. On this day, the world lost a leader in Christ, son, brother, uncle, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.

Billy was born on December 23, 1935 to Hubert and Eva Robison Turpen in Heth, AR. He went on to marry Johan YeVonne Russell on September 4, 1959 in La Porte, TX. They celebrated 57 years of marriage prior to her passing and together raised a strong Christian family.

One of 11 children, Billy left school in the 6th grade to help support his family as a sharecropper. Drafted at age 18, Billy was a Private First-Class in the Clean Up Operations in Germany from 1954-1956. Upon returning to the United States, Billy married his beloved wife Johan and began their family while working as a journeyman for various refineries in the Houston-area. Billy answered the Lord’s calling in 1963 by attending seminary at Texas Baptist Institute, where he would earn his Master’s of Theology. A lifelong learner and teacher, he would then go on to continue his education at Lee College and the University of Houston-Clearlake where he would graduate with his Bachelor’s Degree in Education. During his over 50 years of ministry he also served five years as the Dean of Academics at Heritage Baptist Institute and Seminary in Houston, TX. He later received his Honorary Doctorate of Theology from Texas Baptist Institute.

Billy is survived by his daughters; Tamria and Tim Hill of Mt. Pleasant, TX, Pamula McKee of Mt. Pleasant, TX, Karon and Brent Mars of Mt. Pleasant, TX, Billie Catherine “Cathye” and Kennie Cogdill of Granbury, TX.; His grandchildren Amber and Zach Dicken, Kinsee and Jeff Thomas, Callie and J.C. Thompson, John Brent Mars Jr and fiancé Morgan Wallace, Jason Hill, Shelby and Trey Robinson, Catherine Cogdill, Allie and Josh McWilliams; His great grandchildren Avy, Brody, Josie and Ree Thomas, Karsyn Ray Hill, Piper Lynn Dicken, Robert Wayne and JoLynn Cate Thompson; Siblings Willie Faye Roachell of Fort Smith, AR, Ethel Moore of Pasadena, TX, Jimmy and Sue Turpin of Pasadena, TX, Kathy Moore of Bald Knob, AR, Linda Humphries of Phoenix, AZ, Libby and Melvin Moore of Bald Knob, AR, sister-in-law Mada Hambrick of Conroe, TX and numerous nieces and nephews.

Billy is preceded in death by his beloved wife Johan Yevonne Turpin, his parents Hubert and Eva Turpen, his sister and brother-in-law Sylvia and Troy Capps, brothers H.M, Sonny and Robert Turpen; brother-in-laws Carlus Moore, Jack Roachell and Aaron Hambrick.

Visitation is Friday October 15, 2021 at Nevill’s Chapel Baptist Church form 6-8pm. Funeral service will be held at Nevill’s Chapel Baptist Church on Saturday October the 16, 2021 at 10:00am Interment will follow to Nevill's Chapel Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Soles for Souls charity at the Nevill's Chapel Baptist Church in honor of Billy and Johan Turpin

Nevill's Chapel Baptist Church

113 County Road 3210 Mt. Pleasant TX 75455