FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 7, 2019) - The Kentucky Labor Cabinet is celebrating the life of former Commissioner Walt Turner, of Knoxville, TN, who passed away on Monday, Feb. 4.
Turner served Kentucky's workers’ compensation program for many years. Turner was an Administrative Law Judge from 1988, when the system was revamped, to 1992. He also served as a member of the Workers’ Compensation Board from 1992 to 1994 and as Commissioner of the Department of Workers’ Claims from 1994 to 2001. As an Administrative Law Judge and Board Member, Turner decided hundreds of original claims and appeals. Following his state government service, Turner returned to private law practice until retiring in 2012.
“Walt was one of the 10 original Administrative Law Judges in Kentucky’s workers’ compensation program and later served as Commissioner during a time of significant change in that field,” said Workers’ Claims Commissioner Robert Swisher. “We celebrate his accomplishments in administering a new system and later shepherding that system through major changes. The ongoing success of the workers’ compensation system in Kentucky is a testament to Walt’s dedication and resolve.”
A celebration of life will be conducted at 2 p.m. (ET) Saturday, February 9, at Cokesbury United Methodist Church, 9908 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 39722. The family will receive friends prior to the celebration at 1 p.m. (ET). The family appreciates and requests that all donations be made to the church in lieu of flowers.
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