FORTY grandchildren and great-grandchildren wished a special 100th happy birthday to mark the milestone for the county’s latest centurion.
William Turner said the secret to his old age has been “good food, good wine, and good company”.
After he celebrated his 100 years at a family party in one of Letterkenny’s best-known hotels, every guest stood up and gave him a spontaneous round of applause.
Census figures show that Donegal recently had 50 people aged 100 and over.
Bill was born in 1926 – before Ireland passed the Currency Act (1927) for the country to have independent, legal tender; before Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo, non-stop trans-Atlantic flight (1927); before the world economic crash called the Great Depression (1929); and before Adolf Hitler stormed to power in Germany (1933).
But what stands out for him most in the history of his century of the world is the rapid advance of technology and his first memory is falling whilst playing as a boy and his big sister carrying him all the way home.
He has lived for most of his life in Donegal, but he was born in Wicklow and met his Cork primary school teacher wife Georgina Forbes in Tipperary before they moved to Sligo because he got a job as a sales representative.
By that stage, they had got married in Cork in 1948 and had four children: Brian, Leslie, Valerie and Dorothy – and they all eventually settled in Newtowncunningham just a few years later.
Bill with his four children Dorothy, Brian, Leslie and Valerie.
Bill Turner with most of his 26 great-grandchildren.
Bill with oldest grandchild Natalie and oldest great-grandchild Lauryn.
Bill’s granddaughter Ciara Black told the Donegal News: “His work took him to Donegal more often and so they moved to Donegal in the early 50s and never looked back.
“After retirement from Herron and Son in Sligo, Bill became a parish reader and went on to become a lay reader for the Church of Ireland.
“His services took him all over Donegal, especially around the Inishowen area, and Northern Ireland. This is how he met many good people and became very good friends with so many and still is.
“He has 14 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren and he often shows them and tells them how proud he is of each and every one of them.
“He tells them that they will receive a birthday card in the post. He is just a proper granddad.
“When I asked what was his earliest childhood memory, it was when he had fallen outside while out playing and he made his big sister Irene carry him all the way home.
“When asked how the world has changed, the biggest change is the rapid advance of technology and how it’s getting faster by the day.
“When I asked what was his secret to getting to 100 years of age, he said he didn’t have one but reckons, good food, good wine, good company and the luck of the draw.
“I asked him what advice he would give to people and he said, ‘Be straight with everyone and dislike no one, be true to yourself and trust in God’.
“He is very fortunate with health and has all his wits about him, which made turning 100 more exciting.
“I asked him does he feel 100 and he said he doesn’t even feel 90 and doesn’t feel any different.”
Bill Turner’s family celebrated his 100th birthday in style.
Bill and Georgina on their wedding day in 1948.
Bill with his wife Georgina and their four children.
Bill as a young boy.
Ciara added: “The celebrations for his birthday meant that family came from Australia, Wicklow and Antrim to celebrate with him in Donegal.
“We had a lovely family meal in Dillion’s Hotel in Letterkenny with his children and grandchildren.
“We got great photos taken by photographer Eamon Ponsonby and when Bill was making his way out of Dillion’s, the other customers and guests of Dillions realised that he was 100.
“Each and every one of them stood up and clapped for him, such an unexpected moment but very special one.
“The celebrations continued to the next day when he celebrated with his great grandchildren.
“This was held at Bill’s grandson’s house with bouncy castles and lots of entertainment.
“Final celebrations were spent at Coyle’s restaurant in Newtowncunningham where the staff couldn’t have done more than enough, especially Emma.
“They even decorated the place for him. He spent the evening celebrating his birthday with a beautiful meal with his close friends.
“He had a visit to his house from Cllr Paul Canning when he was Donegal County Council cathaoirleach.”
Cllr Paul Canning was Donegal County Council cathaoirleach when he called to Bill to wish him a happy birthday.
Happy 100th birthday to Bill Turner.
Ciara said: “A very special surprise visit to his house was one by pupils from Newtowncunningham’s Moyle National School.
“They called to the house, stood outside, and sang birthday to him. They even had presents for him and handmade happy birthday cards for him.
“They were lovely to read. Absolutely beautiful. It has definitely been a busy month, celebrating his 100th birthday.
“It has been such a special, emotional time, filled with happiness and lots of good memories to carry.”