one 4-year term in the senate, before being defeated by his predecessor's son, Kendrick Meek, in 1998. Turner died of natural causes on November 1, 2002. References Cordovi, Adriana (Nov 2, 2002). “W. Turner, 71; State Senator, Educator.” The Miami Herald, p4B. Grant, Charisse (Jan 9, 1992). “Racism Charged in School Name Flap.” The Miami Herald, p4B. Grant, Charisse (March 5, 1992). “School Board Veteran Turner to Run for State Senate.” The Miami Herald, p1B. Rothaus, Steve (Sept 10, 1992). “Rep. Burke’s 10-Year Political Career Ends.” The Miami Herald, p9B. “William Turner, state senator, integrated Dade school board.” (Nov 13, 2002). Westside Gazette (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), p4. Politicians from Miami Bethune–Cookman University alumni University of Miami School of Education alumni African-American state legislators in Florida Democratic Party Florida state senators African-American police officers Schoolteachers from Florida American academic administrators Miami Police Department officers School board members in Florida 1931 births 2002 deaths 20th-century American academics