LIFE STORY OF BLENDO WARD TURNER
By Fay Bradford Turner
Ward was born in Lyman, Utah, November 6, 1922 in a little log cabin in the center of the lot where his fathers home now stands. He was the fourth son born to David Ernest and Hulda Artimisha Allen Turner. Grandma Grace Allen who assisted at his birth said he was so small she could put him in a shoebox. She would put the box on the kitchen stove oven door to keep him warm. He weighed about 4 lbs. They chose the name Blendo when they saw the name signed on a milk check and they liked it. He has four brothers: Nelson, Alfonzo, Duane, and Guy, and one sister Leola.
When Ward was six ½ his mother died. He then went to live with Grandma Allen in Monroe where he went to the first grade. In the summer he went to Lyman and lived with his father. He attended the third grade in Salina where he lived with Grandma Allen. He lived at home after this until he started the eighth grade. Part of this time he lived with Mrs. Van Dyke, who raised his sister Leola.
His Dad, herded sheep to make a living, he is a kind, loving father, and brought the children up to be good, religious children.
He went to Loa and lived with Aunt Lily where he attended the eighth grade, before school each morning he helped them milk a dozen cows. The next year he moved to Springville where he lived with Aunt Altha. He went from 9th through the 12th grade there where he graduated with his brother Duane, from High School May 23, 1941, and LDS Seminary. He would go home each summer to live with his Dad. During his High School years he herded sheep for Mr. Brockbank. Duane was also living in Springville with Valeria. The following summer, after school, he worked at Zion National Park, where he mixed fun with work.
The next two years he lived in Provo. While there he worked at Suttons Cafe, Academy Cafe, Hansons Grocery Store, Bradshaws Auto Parts and other places. He took accordion lessons in Provo. His mother was a beautiful piano player and he has the love of music she enjoyed.
On May 27, 1943, he went in the U. S. Army where he served for 2 ½ years. He went to England, Ireland, France, Germany and Luxembourg. He received an Honorable Discharge on Dec. 13, 1945. He then returned to Provo where he was employed at Bradshaw Auto Parts Co. Two months after he was discharged, he met Fay Bradford, on Feb. 20, 1946, through her best friend, La Rae Stewart, who was a sister of Ward's future sister-in-laws best friend. They were engaged on March 24, 1946, and on May 15, 1946, they were married in the Manti Temple.
After living in Provo one month, Ward was transferred to Manti as the manager of Bradshaw Auto. The following year they had their first child, Connie, born Jan. 31, 1947, and two years later a son Gary born Aug. 10, 1949.
In Manti he was active in the Jaycees and M.I.A.; he held the office of Pres. of the Manti Businessmen Assoc. After living in Manti for six years he was transferred to Ogden Utah, on May 24, 1952.
He rented a home for three months at 763 30 St., then he bought a home at 931 29 St.. There Ward was active in M.I.A., serving as Counselor, Secretary, President, Sunday School Teacher, and Elders Quorum President. On May 26, 1953, they had their third child, Diane, followed four years later on April 5 1957, with another son Brad. When Bred was two months old on May 26, 1957, Ward bought a home at 4736 So. 2025 W. in Roy. Then on Jan. 6, 1959, the family was blessed with a 5th child, a daughter Kathy.
Ward loves to go camping, fishing and hunting. He still enjoys playing his accordion. He is an active church worker and was ordained a Seventy by Antoine R. Ivins on Oct. 31, 1963. He has done Temple work for the dead.
He is a kind friend to everyone, a wonderful and loving husband and father. He is patient and understanding. I am especially grateful for the privilege I have to be his wife. He is my most priceless possession.
By Fay Bradford Turner
©2000 Fay Bradford Turner
Last Updated: Thursday, 03-Mar-2005 06:17:55 MST
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