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William Townsley Obituary

William "Doc" Townsley
William "Doc" Townsley was born August 17, 1933 in Pensacola, Florida to Navy pilot, Commander William W. Townsley and Mary Pace Townsley. Billy was the second of three children, with sisters, Cameron and Louise (who died as a child…) born before and after. He attended Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL, where he met his first wife, Beverly Valentine Townsley. After a stint in the Navy, he attained two doctorates in Botany and Plant Pathology. With their children, Catherine and William III (Bill), the family settled in Deerfield, IL, where Doc was a professor at Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL. Doc founded Botanical Consultants, Inc., a landscaping company that worked with the State of Illinois in providing training and work opportunities for juvenile delinquents. It was one of his proudest endeavors. He also traveled to China by invitation with a delegation of Horticulturists. The family moved to Florida in 1982, and Doc joined his wife first at St. Paul's in Clearwater, then St. Stephen's Episcopal School in Bradenton, FL as Head of the Science Departments. He loved teaching, and his passion for Forensic Science and DNA sequencing helped him to deck out St. Stephen's Science Lab as one of the premier DNA labs in the state for a time.
Doc retired from teaching in 1998, shortly after Beverly's death. A mutual friend introduced him to former Vice President of Nursing at Manatee Memorial Hospital, Mary Bryan Stritzel, and the two fell madly in love, and were married the next year. This union gave him a whole new family, with kids, grandkids and great grandkids that he adored. The couple spent the next two decades between their family cottage in Williamson, NY and Bradenton. They just recently celebrated their 19th Wedding Anniversary. Their adventures included their boats on Lake Ontario and the Gulf of Mexico, travels to Scotland, cruises around the Caribbean and a grand voyage on their own boat - navigating round trip from Bradenton to the Bahamas. Doc was the author of a collection of essays, "Memories of Death and Dying"; as well as two high school science textbooks: "Forensics for the Biology Laboratory" and "Biology Laboratory Handbook". His fictional work entertained friends and family, but was never published. Doc had just enjoyed a visit with his son and daughter when his health took a turn. He passed away peacefully February 5, 2018 with Mary and his family by his side. His motto in life had been "To the Utmost... Full Out!" and he often said how much fun he had in the way he chose to live his life. He will be immensely missed. William "Doc" Townsley is survived by his beloved wife, Mary; his son, Bill Townsley and wife, Kelly; his daughter, Catherine Townsley; step-daughter, Lori Stritzel-Ross, and husband, Jim; grandchildren, Andy Ross and fiancé, Andrea LaMartina, Kate Kosewicz and husband, Matt, Bob Ross; step-son, Todd Stritzel, and wife, Deborah; grandchildren, Emily and Erich Stritzel; step-daughter, Mary Ellen Stritzel Hogan, and husband, Patrick; granddaughter, Jessica Smotherman and husband, Bobby; great-grandchildren, Michael Eischen and Bobby Smotherman; grandson, Craig Hogan and wife, Meghan; grandson, Alex Hogan and wife, Cassie; great-granddaughter, Charlotte Hogan; grandson, Mike Hogan; step-son, Tom Stritzel; grandson, Aaron Stritzel; step-son, Larry Stritzel and wife, Kathy; grandson, Lawrence Stritzel, III and wife, Amy; great grandchildren, Finley and Adeline; grandson, Brian Stritzel and wife, Katie; great-grandchildren, Connor, Dillon, Olivia, and Landon; brother and sister in-law, Jerry and Helen Glaser; brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Sheila Cohen; sister-in-law Barb Flanagan ...as well as many beloved friends and former students.
Memorial Service will be 2:00PM Sunday, February 11, 2018 at Christ Episcopal Church, 4030 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209 is in charge of the arrangements. The family has requested in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Tidewell Bradenton Hospice House at 3355 26th St. W, Bradenton, FL 34205. Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Published by Bradenton Herald on Feb. 10, 2018.
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Memories and Condolences
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Many condolences to Doc's family, he was an amazing man respected, appreciated, and adored by so many of us former students. Doc made science accessible, enganging, and his enthusiasm was infectious. While at St Stephen's, I took each class he offered and Doc worked with me to set up an individual course my senior year where I observed surgery weekly. He was supportive and encouraging plus incredibly patient throughout classes, labs, dive certification courses, marine science club meetings, a memorable Jaws movie night, and trips to the Keys. I attribute finding a fulfilling marine biology research career to him and will forever be grateful for all the time he took to develop us all as students and as people. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers, God bless.

Sarah Walters Burnsed

February 11, 2018

Doc was an amazing teacher and inspired so many of us for so many years at St. Stephens. We all have lots of wonderful stories. He will be missed, but always remembered.

Blair Dalton Bloomston

February 11, 2018

My prayers are with Doc's family and friends. I had Doc for two classes at St. Stephens and he was just an incredible teacher and mentor. He made everything about science exciting and fun and even made the faintest of heart feel comfortable dissecting little pigs. I will always remember his light for life and passion for his work.

Christine Turner Ashburn

February 11, 2018

Aunt Mary and Family, please accept our sincerest condolences for your loss. Bill was a wonderful man and offered a great point of view on life. He will most certainly be missed by all who knew him.

Mike, Linda, Ian and Patrick Glaser

February 10, 2018

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. So many wonderful memories with all of you at the cottage.Bill was great to talk to and I will never for get all the little notes I received in Spanish. His sense of humor in this matter will stay with me forever.....Dois te bendiga senor Bill and Buena suerte.
Our love to you all,
George and Barb

February 10, 2018

The NC Petruccelli's send their love and condolences to Aunt Mary and the family with a wish for comfort and healing with happy memories and the support of loved ones around you. I loved visiting with Bill and Aunt Mary at the cottage and other times when they would visit NC. Bill was always so interesting to talk to and had a wonderful sense of humor. Wish we could be with you tomorrow. God bless you all. Love all of you! Betsy, Tom, Tommy and Nick

Betsy Petruccelli

February 10, 2018

I'm very sorry for your loss Aunt Mary. All my best to you and your family. Love you! Lisa Jenner

Lisa Jenner

February 10, 2018

gerard glaser

February 9, 2018

Sorry to hear about your loss Aunt Mary! You and the family our in our thoughts and prayers.

Jerry Glaser

February 8, 2018

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Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory (43rd St. Chapel) - Bradenton

604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209

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