William D. "Bill" Townson, III

   William D. “Bill” Townson, III, of Richmond, VA, passed away on Friday, June 16, 2023 in his home.

   Mr. Townson was born in Murphy, NC on July 26, 1941 and was the son of the late William D. Townson, Jr. and Pearl W. Townson.

   As a teenager he began working for Townson Funeral Home in Murphy. He later moved to Edenton where he worked with Townson Pallets. Eventually, he moved to Midlothian, VA where he continued working in the sawmill industry.

   A sports enthusiast who, over the years, could be found water skiing, drag racing, riding motorcycles or just playing ball with the neighborhood kids. He earned his private pilot’s license while in his twenties and took scuba diving lessons in his fifties. He loved driving on the beaches of Hatteras Island and was a member of the North Carolina Beach Buggy Association since 1975. An avid woodworker, he could repair most anything around the house that needed fixing, including the automobiles sitting in the driveway. In his later years, he found comfort in planting and maintaining his yard. He never met a dog he didn’t like and will be truly missed by his granddog and playmate, Emma.

   Surviving is his wife of 62 years, Priscilla B. Townson; a daughter, Angela S. Townson of North Chesterfield, VA; sisters, Grace T. Grasty and husband Thomas of Charlotte and Barbara T. Keeter of Raleigh; and his brother, Jerry M. Townson and wife Catherine of Murphy.

   In accordance with his wishes, he has been cremated and his ashes scattered. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 15th, at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton. Friends are invited to visit with the family in the funeral home immediately following the service.

   In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Richmond Animal League, online at https://www.ral.org.