He then served in the United States Army Air Forces from 1945 to 1947.

He then practiced law in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

From 1961 to 1965, Turner served in the Iowa State Senate and was a Republican.

He served as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa from 1981 until his death in 1986, two days before his 59th birthday.

Turner died from a heart attack in a hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.