Marshall Townsend

Marshall William Townsend, 74 of Las Vegas, passed away July 22, 2016. He was born October 1, 1941 in Los Angeles, California. Marshall was reared in a foster home in Arkansas with his sister, Doreen who preceded him in death. They had three brothers and a sister from whom they were separated as children. Through persistence and determination Marshall was able to locate the three brothers and their families even though the last names were changed. After graduating from Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, Marshall went to work at the Elizabeth Mitchell Children's Home where he became Director of the home and developed a band made up of the children in the home and the community. He went on to get his Bachelor of Music Education degree in choral and instrumental music at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. After graduation in 1972 he moved to Benton, Arkansas where he directed Eastside and Westside Junior High bands and the Sanctuary choir at First United Methodist Church. In 1975 he was selected Teacher of the Year by his peers in the Benton School District. After five years he became director of the Benton High School "Showband of Arkansas". These students worked hard for him and brought home multiple "Superior" ratings and trophies from marching and concert band competitions. In 1985 Marshall moved to Las Vegas to continue his education at the University of Nevada — Las Vegas where he earned a Masters Degree in Music Education. He directed bands at Rancho High School and Las Vegas High School Academy of Performing Arts as well as directing the choir at University United Methodist Church. While at LVA, Marshall started a handbell group as an after school club. The "club" eventually became a class. The bands and bells earned "Superior" ratings at Solo and Ensemble as well as out of state competitions. After retiring in 2014 he returned to LVA every other day and donated his time to direct the handbells. Marshall is survived by his wife of 47 years, Janice Paul Townsend, his brother, Louis, son, Michael and his wife, Kim, grandchildren, Matthew and Ashlee, and an enormous extended family of former choir members and students spanning 53 years.