Longtime Judge Billy Townsend Passes Away

Former Judge Billy W. Townsend, age 78, passed away suddenly at his home Wednesday, July 14, 2021. He was born January 28, 1943, in Decatur County, son of the late Wayne and Virginia Townsend.

Judge Townsend held the seat of Lewis County Juvenile and General Sessions Judge for 32 years. He also served the community on the board of directors of Buffalo Valley and Senior Citizen Center.

He was an Eagle Scout and assistant Boy Scout Scout Master for several years. He was also a member and past president of the Lewis County Jaycees and Hohenwald Lions Club and Fred E. Lomax American Legion Post 127. Judge Townsend graduated from the University of Tennessee Law School in Knoxville. He practiced as a lawyer for over 50 years, first with Edwin Townsend, Sr. in Parsons and later opened his practice with Edwin Humphreys Townsend and Doyle.

He served his community as a veteran of the Tennessee Army National Guard.

Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Phyllis Townsend; two daughters, Becky (Rob) Rawdon and Skipper Townsend, both of Hohenwald; three step-daughter, Lisa (Ronnie) McGehee and Cindy Glover of Star City, Arkansas and Sherri Brooks of Hohenwald; one brother, Larry (Wanda) Townsend of Parsons; one sister, Sherry (Tom) Leitch of Parsons; his mother-in-law, Mildred Stevens of Parsons; 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Saturday, July 17, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. in the McDonald Funeral Home Chapel with Thomas Vann officiating. Burial followed in the Oak Grove Cemetery.