Edward “Ed” Whitmal Turner passed away peacefully at home on June 26, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ed was born to G.W. and Elodia “Brusuelas” Turner in Alamogordo, New Mexico, on June 29, 1943. After graduating from Alamogordo High School, he began his career at Safeway in Alamogordo, where he worked for 28 years. After the store closed, Ed joined the City of Alamogordo as a Fire Equipment Operator and Firefighter. He dedicated 17 years of his life to serving the community and was deeply passionate about fire safety, protecting the citizens of Alamogordo, and supporting his fellow firefighters. Ed took immense pride in doing every job the right way. Even while off duty, he never hesitated to help neighbors and friends whenever they were in need. 

Ed enjoyed most important attending Calvary Chapel and spending time with his family whom he loved dearly, spending time with friends, working on projects (his or theirs), going out to lunch or cup of coffee and solving all problems of the world. He enjoyed outdoor sports, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking; in his younger years, karate and running. Ed loved dancing, in particular country dancing, and square dancing. The love of motorcycle riding started at the young age of 14. He rode till his health no longer allowed it. He loved traveling and RVing to explore our beautiful country.  

Ed’s love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was unwavering. He was a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, whose family meant everything to him.

If you knew Ed, you couldn’t help but love him. His warm personality and wonderful sense of humor drew people to him wherever he went. He was always telling jokes and making others smile with his memorable sayings. Even during his final days, when asked how he was feeling, he would faithfully reply with his famous phrase, “If I was doing any better, I couldn’t stand it.” That simple response was a true reflection of his character. Even on his hardest days, he chose gratitude, optimism, and joy.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, G.W. and Elodia Turner, and his sisters, Pauline Melek and Dorothy Bradford.

Ed leaves behind the love of his life, his wife of nearly 65 years, Angela. He is also survived by his daughters, Bobette Fulmer (Turner) of Scottsdale, Arizona and Malissa Abagian of Alamogordo, New Mexico; granddaughter, Danielle Downs (Ryan); grandsons, Ryan Fulmer (Robert) and Cole Fulmer (Ashlen); and his great granddaughters, Trinity, Maddie, and Rowan, all of the Phoenix area. He is also survived by his sisters, Annabelle Ryles of Montgomery, Alabama, Lucille Grant of Harlem, Georgia, Nell Nicholson (Grady) of Alamogordo, New Mexico; his brother, Robert Turner (Zona) of Nitro, West Virginia; and his sisters-in-law, Dorothy Davis of Scottsdale, Arizona and Clorinda Sandoval of Española, New Mexico; many nieces and nephews he dearly loved and they loved their Uncle Butch; as wells as cousins and close friends.

Thank you to Whittni, Ryan, Kim, Robert, and the loving and caring staff of Alamogordo Home Health Care and Hospice.

A Memorial Service celebrating Ed’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Calvary Chapel, 1112 Cuba Avenue, Alamogordo, New Mexico. A luncheon reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ed’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, Alamogordo Home Health Care and Hospice, or to a charity of your choice.

The Turner family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the arrangements.