William fought in the Civil War as a member of the 8th LA. Calvalry CSA, in the Battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill, both in Louisiana. William was the last living survivor in Vernon Parish to have served in the Civil War. Everyone called him Uncle Bill.
The cemetery is famous as the final resting place for Vernon Parish's "Last boy in Gray," William Robert Turner, who lived to be 102 years old. Tribute was paid to "Uncle Bill" by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Pickett Chapter # 1539, Vernon Parish, in 1978. "Uncle Bill" Turner, last Vernon Parish's "Boy in Gray," a pioneering patriarch of the Deep South, was born in Holmes County, Florida. In the spring of 1852, the 6-year old was caught up in the excitement of moving from his birthplace to a far away land called Texas. Some of the older Turners who had been soldiers in the west repoted its charms, and the family decided to move. But when they reached Louisiana, the ladies of the caravan fell in love with the land they were passing through and prevailed on the men to stop the covered wagons. Louisiana worked its spell on everyone here that stayed. The 450-mile journey had taken three months from loading to unloading in what is now Allen Parish. There in a lovely graveyard lies the remains of Uncle Bill's father, William Wayne Turner, and grandfather, Stephen Turner, his brothers and cousins, aunts and uncles, farmers, cattlemen, hunters, and loggers.
Children of William "Bill" Robert Turner and Mary C. Weeks are: Lydia Holmes Turner McInnis, Mary Jane Turner, Sarah Charlota Turner, James Wesley "Jimmy" Turner, Alice E. Turner, and William Wesley "Wes" Turner.

Granddaughter: Mary Catherine McInnis Maxwell
Great Grandson: Willis Ethridge Maxwell
Great Grand-daughter: Emma Lea Maxwell Mitchell


Thanks to SFC USA RET Duffy & Kathy for the headstone photos. They are much appreciated.