Bill Turlay, a former Vancouver city councilor who prided himself on helping reduce the city’s debt by more than $100 million, died Feb. 7 from dementia complications. He was 89 years old. Turlay’s wife of 63 years, Stephanie Turlay, said that he had a great sense of humor, and everywhere he went he had friends. It helped in his time on the city council, and he “was always concerned about the citizenry,” she said. Born in Portland, Bill Turlay became a fighter pilot for the U.S. Navy and served three tours in Vietnam. Part of his work included training pilots onboard aircraft carriers. After his time in the Navy, the Turlays founded a beverage business called Emerald City Granita, which sold smoothie materials and machines. They traveled the world to conduct business, including in Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Japan. The couple was living in Tacoma but decided to move to Vancouver around 2000 to escape heavy traffic issues. With a sense of humor that made him many friends, Bill Turlay decided to get involved with politics. In 2011, voters elected him to the Vancouver City Council.

“His concern, the entire time on the council, was for the people,” Stephanie Turlay said. “That’s one of the things that made him so loved and popular.” In 2011, Bill Turlay helped the city adopt a “pay-as-you-go” plan, which saved on interest payments and combat $177 million in debt. By the time he left the council in 2019, the debt was down to $67 million. Bill Turlay also supported and helped development on the Vancouver waterfront get traction. During his time on the city council, he was also known for his stance against climate change science and government spending but was still willing to compromise and listen, according to his colleagues. “He was a great man. He was a man unafraid to hold back,” said Vancouver city Councilor Bart Hansen, who served with Bill Turlay during his two terms. “He stood for what he believed in. You may not agree with him, but you always knew where you stood. And he had the ability to compromise. There was always a path to ‘yes.’”

Bill Turlay did not choose to run for a third term, and his spot on the Vancouver City Council was won by Sarah Fox. Bill Turlay is survived by six children and eight grandchildren, his wife said.