State Representative Brett Hillyer Announces HB 417 Passing Out of Transportation and Public Safety Committee

COLUMBUS – State Representative Brett Hillyer (R-Uhrichsville) today announced House Bill 417 passing out of the Ohio House Transportation and Public Safety Committee. This Legislation will name a portion of US Route 36 in Tuscarawas County the “Robert E. Turney Memorial Highway.”

Mr. Turney was born on July 15, 1919 and raised in Tuscarawas County. He honorably served his country in the U.S. Army before and during WWII from 1940-1945. Mr. Turney was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions in the North Africa campaign in 1943. During the Battle of Kasserine Pass, Mr. Turney emptied his weapon in an effort to hold off an enemy advance and stayed with a wounded soldier resulting in their capture. Released after a few days, Mr. Turney took part in the 1943 Invasion of Sicily. He was awarded the Purple Heart when he narrowly escaped death when wounded by mortar fragments to his chest and arms.

After the war, Mr. Turney worked for the Ohio Department of Transportation – Eastern Ohio District 11 in New Philadelphia from 1945 until his retirement in 1978. He witnessed the expanding highway system, installed signage; plowed snow-covered roads, and proudly painted thousands of miles of center and edge lines. 

“Robert E. Turney was a great American and Ohioan and served his country and state with honor and price, I am pleased to see this legislation pass out of committee and eagerly await its arrival on the house floor,” said Hillyer. 

Robert Turney died on October 15, 1989. He was a genuine war hero, dedicated Ohio public employee, and loved Ohio highways.