Rest In Peace: William Gregory Turbeville

Ballard Partners is launching a scholarship fund in memory of the late lobbyist Gregory Tuberville.

It is with deep sadness that we report on the passing of William Gregory Turbeville, a lobbyist with Ballard Partners.

The following is a statement from Brian D. Ballard:

It is with tremendous sadness that I must share the passing of a long-time partner and friend, William Gregory Turbeville, who passed away today after a valiant fight against an illness that may have sapped his energy but never his spirit.

Greg was well-known in and beyond Florida, as a policy director for former Governor Jeb Bush and Chief of Staff for former House Speaker/now FSU President John Thrasher. Public service was in his DNA, and he constantly provided that service honorably and selflessly.

What wasn’t as well-known was his love of music, always armed with a guitar and a thirst for some of his generation’s most popular bands. It was a passion matched by another unquenchable love: he was a huge FSU Seminoles fan, garnet and gold proud.

As much as Greg merited respect with his ideas, he always wore life – and a love for others – on both sleeves.

We feel great sorrow for his family, and our hearts go out to them, because to us Greg will always be family.

Everyone in the Ballard Partners family was honored to call him our colleague and our friend and we will all miss him dearly.

May he rest in peace.

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Former Governor Jeb Bush offered the following condolences:

“Columba and I are devastated to learn of Greg’s passing this afternoon. Turbo was a force – both in personality and in his incredibly gifted policy and political counsel. There wasn’t an issue that Turbo was not able to offer an insightful and thoughtful opinion on, often making many of us reconsider our own. I will always be grateful for his sharp mind and deep loyalty to our work and my family, but I’m even more grateful for his friendship. Our team and our administration would not have been nearly as successful without his grit, good humor and leadership.

“Columba and I are praying for Greg’s mother, Jane, and the entire Turbeville family. I hope our alumni family’s prayers lift them up in this very difficult time. As information about ways to honor Greg come available, we will pass them along.”

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Asked for his thoughts on the passing of Greg, FSU President John Thrasher simply said, “I loved him.”