Boyd Mckinley Townsend

Boyd McKinley Townsend, age 75, of Hickory, passed away April 14, 2017 at Catawba Regional Hospice in Newton.

Born August 18, 1941 in Watauga County, NC, he was the son of the late Claude and Helen Townsend. He was a 1959 graduate of Hudson High School and was a member of Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Banner Elk.

Mr. Townsend served in the US Army from 1963 to 1965.

Following the military, he joined the Hickory Fire Department where he became Captain. During this time, he attended Catawba Valley Community College and Technical Institute and obtained his paramedic certification in 1982. He retired from the City of Hickory after 28 years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Vina Lail Townsend; a brother, Wilbert Townsend, and a sister Evelyn Hoilman.

He is survived by his daughter, Jenny Piercy and husband, Garry of Hickory, NC; son, Jason Townsend and wife, Sonya of Hickory, NC; grandson, Joshua Piercy of Boone; granddaughters, Kaitlyn Townsend of Hiddenite, NC Amberly Townsend of Hiddenite, NC; and grandson, Connor Townsend of Hickory, NC; step- grandchildren; Elizabeth Shaw and Michael Ward of Granite Falls, step-great-grandchildren; Michael Shaw and Matthew Shaw, sisters, Ruby Church of Lenoir, NC, Violet Braswell of Lenoir, NC; brother, Edward Townsend of Granite Falls, NC; and sister-in-law, Emma Townsend, of Vale, NC.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on May 7, 2017 at Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Banner Elk, NC, with Pastor David Mielke officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Living Waters Lutheran Church, PO Box 2230 Cherokee, NC 28719 or to Holy Communion Lutheran Church, 1525 Clarks Creek Rd., Banner Elk, NC 28604.

Condolences may be sent to the Townsend family at www.hickoryfh.com .

Hickory Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.