Obituary of Wayne Edwin Turton

Turton, Wayne Edwin

Alma, Michigan 
 

Wayne E. Turton, age 94, passed Monday, October 30, 2023 at Masonic Pathways, Alma, Michigan. Wayne was born in Felicity, Ohio on January 1, 1929 to the late Ralph and Mildred Turton. He married Mary Emma Buriff on September 11, 1948 in Centerville, Ohio.

After graduation from Centerville High School in 1947, Wayne was sponsored by the Frigidaire Division of General Motors Corporation and graduated from General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan in 1952 with a BBA degree, majoring in Accounting. 

In 1956, General Motors transferred him to its Central Office in Detroit where he was assigned to supervisory and management positions in Data Processing and Data Systems Analysis. Before his retirement in 1985, he worked in the Information Systems and Communication Activity Section in Facilities Construction and Management. 

Wayne was actively involved in Boy Scouts for 17 years and served as Scout Master, Committee Chairman and Explorer advisor. Both Wayne and Mary were members of Orchard United Methodist Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan since 1959, and he served as treasurer for over 8 years. 

Wayne was raised as a Master Mason on September 27, 1954 in Rock Moriah Lodge No. 740 in Centerville, Ohio. He transferred to Farmington Lodge No. 151 in 1961 where he served as Worshipful Master in 1974. He transferred to Alma Lodge No. 244 in 2014.  He served as High Priest of Union Chapter No. 55 in 1968, Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons of Michigan in 1978-79, Deputy General Grand High Priest for the East Central Region of the United States and General Grand Master of the Third Veil, and until his passing as a Trustee of General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons International. He served as Thrice Illustrious Master of Northville Council No. 30 Royal and Select Masons and Commander of Northville Commandery No. 39.  In the York Rite College, he served as Grand Governor for the State of Michigan 1979-82, Herald General 1982-85, Governor of Prince Edwin College No. 8 in 1984 and was elected a Regent of the Sovereign College in 1990. Wayne was a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Detroit and Moslem Temple Shrine. He held memberships in the Aries Grotto; Allied Masonic Degrees; National Sojourners; Order of the Eastern Star; Order of Amaranth; White Shrine of Jerusalem, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis; Royal Order of Scotland; the Philalethes Society; Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests; Tall Cedars of Lebanon; High Twelve. Wayne also served the Demolay Foundation of Michigan as a member of the Board of Directors and was an active member of the International Supreme Council. Among the honors he has received are the York Rite Sovereign College Order of the Purple Cross; Scottish Rite Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33rd Degree Mason; General Grand Chapter R.A.M. International Silver Medal of Distinguished Service; Demolay Cross of Honor and Honorary Legion of Honor; Rainbow for Girls Grand Cross of Color; and Job’s Daughters Grand Triangle of Honor. Wayne was installed as Michigan’s Most Worshipful Grand Master, Free and Accepted Masons of Michigan on May 25, 1990. He laid the Cornerstone of the new Masonic Health Care Center in Alma, Michigan on October 13, 1990. 

Wayne is survived by his five children: Thomas Wayne (Cheryl), David Bryan (Kathy), Dale Allen (Emma), Carol Jane Wolf (Daniel), Patricia Ann Mannion (Robert Michael) and fifteen grandchildren: Bryan Turton, Jason Turton, Jae Turton, Alex Turton (Bryn), Benjamin Turton (Nellie), Michael Turton (Chelsea), Christina Norris (Dale), Nathan Turton (Kim), Clarissa Harrington (William), Kaitlyn Durante (Michael), Garrett Mannion (Shelby), Adam Turton, Jenna Mannion, Emma Smart (Will), and Amber Mannion. He is also survived by ten great-grandchildren: Madeline, Talia, Jonathan, Hailey, Atticus, Shepard, Eileen, Ivy Lee, Otto, Calvin and two brothers: Roy (Sue) Turton and Glen (Deb) Turton. He was preceded in death by his beloved Mary and his brother Donald Turton. 

In his free time Wayne enjoyed tending to his large vegetable garden with the help of his 10+ foot high compost pile and was always an avid reader.  He loved fishing and brewing beer and wine. In his time at Pathways, Wayne could often be found playing cards, BINGO, attending the book discussion group, and going to Lodge meetings.  When his children were younger, they took many camping trips around the country where lasting memories were made. Wayne nurtured the importance of family up until his passing.  He loved to be with his children and spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He left a legacy of believing in the unity of family which will continue through generations to come. 

A Memorial and Masonic service will be held at 3:00 PM, April 7, 2024, at the Doig Chapel in Masonic Pathways, Alma, MI.  There will be a dinner following at the Alma Lodge in Alma. Memorial contributions can be sent to Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation, 1200 Wright Ave. Alma, MI 48801  If you’d like to make a donation online please follow this link; Making a Donation - Michigan Masons  

To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.