Bill Townsley, age 83, passed this life Wednesday afternoon, March 16, 2022, surrounded by his family in Huntsville, AL.
Bill was born in Tuscaloosa, AL in 1938 and met his future wife, Sheril Elizabeth Box, at the University of Alabama in 1959. Two years later they graduated, married, and were relocated together to Sagamihara, Japan, where Bill served in the US Army Signal Corps until 1965. Their first child, Kay Elizabeth, was born while they were stationed in Japan, their second, Lisa Carol, after relocating back to the United States and settling in Lake Charles, LA, and William Mark, just after they moved to Huntsville for the opening of a new PPG Industries manufacturing plant in 1969.
Bill worked at PPG a total of 38 years, starting as an entry level Chemical Engineer, and retiring as the Manager of Advanced Technologies at the Huntsville site. Bill was very active at the Central Church of Christ in Huntsville, serving for years as Deacon of Buildings and Grounds as well as photographer for the church members’ photo wall, both of which brought him great joy.
Bill loved his family as well as football and his “Roll Tide Roll!” rally cry could be heard across the entire neighborhood for every single touchdown Alabama scored.
Bill is survived by his loving wife and companion of 63 years, Sheril B. Townsley; their three children and spouses, Kay and Jack Carter, Lisa and Tom Winn, and Mark and Adeline Townsley; six grandchildren, Mackenzie Steele, Anna Carter, Nathan Winn, Shelby Winn, Léna Townsley, Zoé Townsley; and one great-grandchild, Oscar “Ozzie” Steele. Bill is also survived by his brother, Dr. James T. Townsley, and was preceded in death by their sister, Dr. Carolyn Barnes.
Visitation will be Sunday, March 20 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home Chapel. The funeral service will immediately follow at the same location, led by Allen Wright and Andrew Steele. Bill’s final resting place will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville.
