William Turner Sr.

"Good man. Good pirate. I swear you look just like him."

- Jack Sparrow to William Turner

William Turner Sr., also known as Bill Turner though more commonly referred to as Bootstrap or Bootstrap Bill, was the father of William Turner Jr. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland.

Early life
"I knew him. Probably one of the few who knew him as William Turner. Everyone else just called him "Bootstrap" or "Bootstrap Bill"."

- Jack Sparrow to William Turner

Not much was known about Bill Turner's early life. He may possibly have begun sailing as a merchant, as his son initially believed. Before he became a pirate, Bill met his wife and had his first son, William Turner. Somewhere along the line, Bill became a pirate. Most likely, Jack Sparrow met "Bootstrap" shortly before or after this happened.

Life on the Black Pearl
"It never sat right with "Bootstrap" what we did to Jack. He said it wasn't right with the code."

- Pintel

After Jack had the Black Pearl raised from the sea by Davy Jones, "Bootstrap" was one of the pirates to join Sparrow's crew. When Hector Barbossa's mutiny took place, "Bootstrap" felt opposed to it, though went along with it as he had little other choice. He was kept on board long enough to earn his share of the Aztec gold&mdash;and was thus able to send a piece to his son in Glasgow, after learning of the curse. Eventually, Barbossa became angry with Bill, and had him strapped to a cannon by his bootstraps, sending him to the depths.

Deal with Davy Jones
"And I thought that even the tiniest hope of escaping this fate&hellip;I would take it. I would trade anything for it."

- William "Bootstrap Bill" Turner to Jack Sparrow

"Bootstrap" sank to the bottom of the ocean. Since he was cursed, he couldn't die. However, the pressure at the bottom of the ocean made his time there a living hell. Eventually, Davy Jones offered to rescue "Bootstrap" in exchange for a century of service aboard the Flying Dutchman. Bill felt that even a life of servitude would be better than his current existence, and agreed to Jones' deal. Ten years after the mutiny, Bill was finally freed of the curse, thanks to the efforts of his son and Jack on Isla de Muerta. At this time, William was unaware Bill had escaped his watery fate, and believed that in lifting the curse he had killed his father.

Life on the Flying Dutchman
""Bootstrap Bill", you're a liar and you will spend an eternity on this ship!"

- Davy Jones

"Bootstrap" worked on the Flying Dutchman for years. When Will was captured, he did what he could to help him. He flogged Will so he wouldn't have to endure Jimmy Legs' punishment. When Will challenged Davy Jones to a game of Liar's dice, he purposely lost to save Will. As a result, he was sentenced to spend eternity on the Flying Dutchman. Will escaped from Davy Jones, but before he left, promised "Bootstrap" that he'd find a way to free him.

Will's escape enraged Jones, and for his part in it, "Bootstrap" was forced to watch the Kraken attack the Edinburgh Trader, before being locked in the brig. He remained aboard when Cutler Beckett assumed control of the ship following his acquisition of the heart of Davy Jones.

Madness
"William! He's coming for me! He'll come, you'll see&hellip;He promised."

- William "Bootstrap Bill" Turner to Elizabeth Swann

The apparent death of his son caused "Bootstrap" to sink into a state of madness, so much so that the process of assimilation into the Flying Dutchman accelerated, and "Bootstrap"'s humanity began to wane. When Elizabeth Swann was thrown in the brig, she was able to coax "Bootstrap" into a conversation, though it was clear that he remembered little of his life. He still recognized the name of his son, however, and held on to the hope that William had promised to rescue him. When he realized who Elizabeth was, he lost hope for his own redemption. "Bootstrap" told her that Will would have to choose one of them and jokingly stated, "I wouldn't pick me." Elizabeth tried to wake him after he had merged with ship again, but he appeared to have completely forgotten their prior conversation.

When James Norrington freed Elizabeth and the crew of the Empress, "Bootstrap" followed, but in his maddened state, did not realize Norrington's good intentions, believing instead he was leading a prisoner escape. "Bootstrap" drew his sword on Norrington, and stabbed him moments after James ensured Elizabeth's safety. Confused over what he had done, "Bootstrap" simply stood by while Norrington passed away.

Sailing with his son
"On the wheel then, Mister Turner." "Aye, Captain Turner."

- William Turner and William "Bootstrap Bill" Turner

Bill was still aboard the Flying Dutchman when it came under attack from the Black Pearl around Calypso's maelstrom. "Bootstrap" emerged on deck to find his son onboard, and engaged him in a duel, once more trying to protect the ship. "Bootstrap" snapped out of his delirium when he recognized Will's knife, the one "Bootstrap" himself had given to Will. When his son was stabbed by Davy Jones, Bootstrap flew at his captain in a fury and cut out his son's heart to allow him to take Davy Jones' place as captain of the Flying Dutchman after Jones fell into the maelstrom.

With Will at the helm, the Flying Dutchman participated in the destruction of the Endeavour, and its crew were transformed back into their human forms. Bill Turner was now free to choose to sail aboard the Flying Dutchman, happy to serve under his son.

Appearances

 * Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
 * The Accidental Pirate!
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (video game)
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
 * Kingdom Hearts II
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: Jack Sparrow Poseidon's Peak