William Eli Turpela, age 78, passed away on Thursday, January 4th, 2024 at his home in Grantsville. He was born April 11th, 1945 in TAD Park to Flossie Rusell and William Edwin Turpela. Bill was raised in Pine Canyon.
Known to family and friends as Bill, he was full of life and loved by all. He is known for his love of token hunting, chasing McDonalds memorabilia, and his infamous love of sports of all kinds. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, with many great “ones that got away” stories. His early years were full of adventures- some legal, some funny, but all with a learning moment. His love of cars and music was endless. But all of his friends knew him for his loyalty, integrity, and stubbornness. He loved making people laugh, was quick with a joke, but loved more just interacting with people. His career began working at the smelter until it shut down, then continued his career out at the generator shop at the 695 at the Tooele Army Depot for 20 years until his first retirement. After realizing he was too young to sit at home, he started working at Premium Oil Gas Station until he retired in 2010.
He is survived by his four wonderful children. Two with his first wife, Tami (Tom) Grgich, and Michelle (Doug) Robbins. And two with the love of his life, his third wife, Sue Turpela, his only son, Eric Turpela, and baby daughter, Elizabeth (Justin Jackson) Turpela. He touched all of his kids’ lives and left them all with some great memories. He is survived by his sister, Gloria Johnson. He is also survived by his two grandchildren, Chyann Gladden, and Sara Robbins.
He is preceded in death by his grandson, Chelton Turpela, his sister Darlene Perkins, and his brothers, Elden, Blaine, Ed, George, and John.
A viewing will be held on Friday, January 12th, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Dalton-Hoopes Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 50 W Main, in Grantsville. He will be laid to rest at the Tooele Cemetery with a brief graveside service at 1 pm.
Flowers and donations would be much appreciated by the family at the viewing service being held at Dalton-Hoopes. We invite all those who knew and loved Bill to share their memories and upload photos to his memorial page.
6 Comments
Worked with Bill. Swapped alot of stories with Bill. He will be missed by all. My prayers go out to the Family. Live you Bill. Tell some great stories in heaven.
Turp was a hoot to work with! Never a dull moment. We had a great group of folks at the depot who made working fun! Turp was one of them! He was always willing to lend a helping hand. In fact, even though he didn’t need to, when working at the gas station, he always came out and pumped my Moms gas for her when she came to the station. I’m sure she wasn’t the only one he did that for either. That’s the Turp I will always remember and love. Rest in peace, my friend.
Bill was a good friend. We went hunting and fishing together and had great time doing it. Always loved his since of humor. Best of all he was a good guy.
RIP Bill. Very good memories of you along with many of our Class of ’63 classmates. Sincere thoughts to Bill’s family and many friends.
He was always fun to be around. Enjoyed the trips to the skating rin in SL with the Pine Canyon group. All the time I knew him in my high school years, he was fun and great to be around.
Bill was a friend, and I shall miss him. My prayers to the family. Enjoy your new health and vitality my friend. You are young and happy again. God Bless ya buddy.
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