William E. “Bill” Turpela
Date: 2024-01-04

William Eli Turpela, age 78, passed away Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, at his home in Grantsville, Utah. He was born April 11, 1945, in TAD Park to Flossie Rusell and William Edwin Turpela. He 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 Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Dalton-Hoopes Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Grantsville. He will be laid to rest at the Tooele Cemetery with a brief graveside service at 1 p.m. 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.