Fonds 0664 - Bill Turnbull fonds

Bill Turnbull was an educator and photographer in Grande Prairie through the seventies and up to the early 2000s. He grew up in Onoway and later received his Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta in 1968 and his Bachelor of Physical Education from the same university in 1971. Bill began his teaching career in 1963 in Mayerthorpe, AB then moved to Grande Prairie in 1966 to teach Physical Education and Social Studies at Montrose Junior High.

In Grande Prairie, Bill met his wife Laura in 1971 and they married soon after. Bill spent a total of 32 years as a teacher, primarily teaching Physical Education, Outdoor Education, Health, and Computer Literacy. He taught 13 years at Montrose Junior High, 3 years at Alexander Forbes School, and 13 years at Crystal Park. Bill retired from teaching in 1997. He and Laura moved back to Bill’s home town of Onoway in 2002 and then to Spruce Grove in 2011. In 2007, Bill was involved in the creation of the Onoway Museum.

Bill was also very active in the running community in Grande Prairie, being one of the members of the old Grande Prairie Legion Track and Field club who helped found the Wapiti Striders Road Running Club. The Wapiti Striders was primarily established to bring a team to the Jasper-Banff Relay. They were one of the original nine teams to participate in that race, and participated every year except one. The Wapiti Striders Road Running Club organized several local runs including: the Brian Harms Memorial 10 Mile, The Daily Herald Tribune Press Run, and the Beaverlodge to Grande Prairie Marathon. Bill also played an active role in building the Grande Prairie Legion Track Facility in the 1980s.

While in Grande Prairie, Bill was active in a number of events, primarily running related. The following list includes the group/organization/event Bill was part of, his position, and what years he was active.

• Grande Prairie Legion Track & Field Club – Head Coach – 1967 to 1981.
• Grande Prairie Legion Indoor Track Meet – Meet Director – 1968 to 1982.
• Wapiti Striders Road Running Club – Executive – 1980 to 2002
• Daily Herald Tribune Press Run – Race Director – 1977 to 2001
• Wapiti Road 10 Mile Run/Brian Harms Memorial Run – Race Director – 1980 to 2001
• Beaverlodge to Grande Prairie/South Peace Marathon – Race Director – 1983 to 2000
• Royal Canadian Legion #54 Outdoor Track Project – Project Chairman – 1979 to 1981
• Zone 8 Track & Field Coordinator – 1974, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1983, 1985, 1987
• NWASAA – Junior High School Commissioner – 1975 to 1979
• NWASAA – Track & Field and Cross Country Commissioner – 1976 to 1981
• NWASAA Zone – Track & Field Meet Coordinator – Late 60s to early 90s
• Alberta Track & Field Association – Board of Directors – 1972 to 1974
• Alberta Winter Games – Results Centre Coordinator – 1980
• Alberta Senior Games – Assistant Athletic Director – 1986
• Northwest Alberta Summer Games – Sports Director – 1987
• Northwest Alberta Winter Games – Committee – 1988
• Canada Winter Games – Education Committee – 1995
• Alberta Summer Games – Venue Manager – Athletics – 2000
• Northwest & Provincial Alberta Teachers’ Association Computer Council – Executive – 1990s
• Grande Prairie Macintosh User Group – President – 1992 to 2001