William P. Townsend

1917 - 06

William Paul "Towney" Townsend, 93, of Washington Township, died Monday, Aug. 16, 2010, in his residence. Born June 6, 1917, in Washington Township, he was the son of the late Clarence and Violet Barber Townsend. He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the Coast Guard. He had been employed by the Bessemer Plant in Grove City and as a truck driver for Atlantic Refining Company (AARCO) for 34 years. After his retirement in 1979, he was a bus driver for the Kiski Area School District and a driver for Sauls Cement. William was a member of the Vandergrift Presbyterian Church since 1945 where he was an elder and had taught Sunday school boys classes. Out of his concern for others to hear the Gospel Message, he faithfully gave to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Wycliffe Bible Translators. Survivors include his wife, Alice A. (Henderson) Townsend, of Washington Township; his son, the Rev. William E. Townsend, of Glen Burnie, Md.; a daughter, Nancy Fouse, of Washington Township; seven grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the DUNMIRE-KERR FUNERAL HOME INC., 244 Franklin Ave., Vandergrift. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the Vandergrift Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Neal Galley and William's son, the Rev. William E. Townsend, officiating. Interment will be in the Pine Run Cemetery, Washington Township. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to the VNA Hospice of Western Pennsylvania, 1514 Hindman Road, Butler, PA 16001.