William Townsend, 83 years, of Sturgeon Bay, was called home September 1, 2012.
He was born October 2, 1928 in Alton, WI the son of the late Vernon and Mahala (Brewer) Townsend. Bill attended Oconto Falls High School. He loved to fly airplanes and wanted to be a crop duster. On June 30, 1951 he married Leatrice Joyce Bitters in Gillette, WI. Bill operated heavy equipment with his brother as part of Townsend Brothers Excavating in Zion, IL until moving to Sturgeon Bay in 1972. He worked for Marine Travel Lift driving semi trucks and delivering travel lifts for nine years until his illness caused him to retire.
Bill and Lea attended Peninsula Baptist Church. For those who met Bill, all could feel the deep Christian love he had for everyone.
Survivors include his devoted wife and caregiver, Leatrice of Sturgeon Bay; four children, Gregg (Mary) of Algoma, Bruce (fiancé, Karen Klessig) of Sturgeon Bay, Jeannie (David) Pillow of Blue Springs, Missouri, Rick (Natalie) of Sturgeon Bay; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one brother, Gerald of Oak Creek, WI and Sun City, AZ; one sister, Gay (Harold) Brown of Pleasant Prairie, IL; many dear nieces and nephews; three sisters-in-law, Ione Bitters of Oconto Falls, Ethel “Babe” Townsend of Crivitz, and Lulaine Henderson of Oconto Falls.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Vernon and Mahala Townsend; brother, Harry; two sisters, Izetta Brown and Maxine Brown.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday (September 6, 2012) at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay with Rev. Brandon VanWyk and Rev. Marvin Kindle officiating. Burial will follow at Bayside Cemetery.
Friends may call Thursday at Huehns Funeral Home from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services at 1:00 p.m.
Memorials may be given in his memory.
“The family would like to express special thanks to all those who have helped, loved, contributed to the welfare and joy of our parents over the last thirty some years. We would especially like to thank the Marine Travel Lift family for their generosity and encouragement all of these years."
Sign online guestbook and offer condolences at http://www.huehnsfuneralhome.com/.
