Channing "Bob" Turner

Channing Roberts “Bob” Turner passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family, leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, family, and friendship. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, proud veteran, accomplished horseman, gifted musician, published author, and extraordinary storyteller whose warmth and generous spirit enriched the lives of everyone who knew him.

Bob was born on September 10, 1946, to Joyce Roberts and Channing Roberts. As an infant, he was lovingly raised by his grandparents, Hazel and Bernard Sr. Turner, who later formally adopted him. Their love, and especially Hazel’s steadfast devotion after Bernard’s death when Bob was ten years old, provided the foundation upon which Bob built his life. Hazel, whom Bob always knew simply as his mother, remained one of the greatest influences in his life.

Bob spent his earliest years in Maracaibo, Venezuela, where Bernard worked for Standard Oil. While there, Hazel and Bernard welcomed another young child into their family, Carlos Turner. Bob and Carlos, born only three months apart, grew up side-by-side as brothers, sharing a lifelong bond that endured throughout their lives.

After returning to the United States, the family settled in Lockesburg, Arkansas. Following Bernard’s death, Hazel continued raising both boys with remarkable strength and unwavering love. During Bob’s sophomore year of high school, the family moved to Baker, Louisiana, where Bob graduated from Baker High School in 1964. Hazel passed away when Bob was nineteen years old, but the faith, perseverance, integrity, and love she and Bernard had instilled in him would guide him throughout the rest of his life.

Bob attended Louisiana State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1968. While at LSU, he was an ROTC cadet and was commissioned as an Army Armor officer. During his college years, Bob played bass guitar in a rock band, beginning a lifelong love of music. He proudly served his country in the United States Army on active duty and in the Army Reserve from 1969 to 1975.

It was at LSU that Bob met Sue Wilson. They were married in 1969 and were blessed with two children, Jeremy and Sarah. In their early years together, Bob and Sue served as house parents for a Christian youth home in South Texas, opening their home and hearts to young people facing difficult circumstances. They later made their home in Zachary, Louisiana, where they raised Jeremy and Sarah. Bob also served as a youth soccer coach, teaching many young people lessons that extended far beyond the game. Though Bob and Sue’s marriage later ended, Bob remained a loving and devoted father whose greatest pride was his family.

Bob devoted twenty-seven years of his professional life to Exxon, where he earned the respect of colleagues and built lifelong friendships. His career took him from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Billings, Montana, where he established deep roots and became an active member of the community.

In 1991, Bob married Barbara Davidson, beginning a loving partnership that would last for the rest of his life. He welcomed Barbara’s children, John and Christen, into his heart as family. Together, Bob and Barbara shared twenty wonderful years in Billings before moving to Walla Walla, Washington. Even after retiring from Exxon, Bob continued serving others as the Billings Census Office Manager for the 2010 United States Census, overseeing operations across several western states. After twelve years in Walla Walla, they returned home to Billings.

Bob’s Christian faith was the cornerstone of his life. He treasured studying God’s Word with family and friends and found joy in encouraging others in their faith. He lived with quiet conviction, genuine kindness, and a deep appreciation for God’s blessings. Music remained an important part of his life, and he found great joy playing bass guitar with his church worship team.

Outside of work, Bob loved the outdoors and especially loved horses. Whether riding the mountains of Montana or exploring trails throughout the Pacific Northwest, he found peace and happiness in the saddle. He was also a devoted LSU Tigers fan whose enthusiasm for his alma mater never faded. Those adventures, football Saturdays, and time spent with family and friends became treasured memories for all who shared them.

Bob was an extraordinary storyteller and writer. Whether around a dinner table, on horseback, or through the written word, he had a remarkable ability to capture people’s attention, make them laugh, and leave them thinking long after the story had ended. He was the author of two published novels, Jonathan’s Shield and Dust We Raised, sharing his love of history, faith, and the human experience with readers beyond his family and friends. His charisma, wit, curiosity, and genuine interest in others drew friends wherever he went.

Above all else, Bob loved his family. He delighted in watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow and considered his family to be his greatest blessing. The love he received as a child became the love he freely gave throughout his own life. Whether mentoring troubled teenagers, coaching young athletes, encouraging fellow believers, or simply sharing a story, Bob believed that the greatest measure of a life was the difference it made in the lives of others.

If you were fortunate enough to know Bob, chances are you have one of his stories to tell. His family hopes those stories will continue to be shared for generations to come, just as he shared them with laughter, wisdom, and love.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara Turner; his son, Jeremy (Brandi) Turner; his daughter, Sarah (Todd) Murray; his stepchildren, John (Bonnie) Davidson and Christen (Steve) Juhnke; his brother, Carlos Turner; his cousins, Bobby Achee and Larry Achee; his cousins, Raymond Turner and Sally Rosfeld; his grandchildren, Elizabeth Blanchard, Michael Murray, Zachary Juhnke, Lettie Juhnke, Brittany Delcambre, Hailey Delcambre, Amilyn Turner, and Alexis Turner; five great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hazel and Bernard Turner; his birth mother, Joyce Roberts; his beloved Uncle Bernard Turner Jr. and Aunt Inez Turner, whose love and guidance helped shape his life after Hazel’s passing; and his cousin, Tim K. Achee.

A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings, Montana, on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Mountain Time. The service will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend. Livestream information will be made available to family and friends.

Bob’s life reminds us that family is defined not only by birth, but by the enduring bonds of love, sacrifice, and faith. His stories will continue to be told, his books will continue to be read, and his life will continue to be reflected in the family, friends, and faith that he cherished.

A livestream of Bob's memorial service can be viewed here:
https://boxcast.tv/view/bob-turner-memorial-service-dfnrbshtbq8f888jpesj