Wilfred Joseph "Papa Bill" Townsend Jr.

Funeral services for Wilfred Joseph "Papa Bill" Townsend, Jr., will be held on Monday, December 8, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. at the Hill Crest Funeral Home Chapel. The family will be receiving friends on Monday from 2:00 p.m. until service time. The service will be officiated by Rev. Glenn Alderman, Pastor of Belle Park Baptist Church.

Born October 23, 1935, in Wilmington, Delaware, and raised in Salisbury and Ocean City, Maryland, Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Eleanor Pilchard Townsend Poole and Wilfred J. Townsend, Sr.; stepfather, Fred L. Poole; and father-in-law, Delma Lee Patrick.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Patricia Patrick Townsend; daughter, Patrice Townsend Perry and husband Rick; son, Dr. William J. Townsend and wife Jeanna; grandchildren, Erick Selby Perry, and wife Becca, Brandon Patrick Townsend, Ashley Marie Townsend, Cody David Perry, Tucker Lee Perry; mother-in-law, Johnnie Marie Patrick; brother and sister-in-law, Sammy and Ramona Patrick; niece, Summer Patrick Woodard and husband Bobby; nephew, Christopher Douglas Patrick and wife Amanda; and great- nephews, Landen and Colson Patrick; brother, Jack Townsend and wife Lena ; sister, Kay Klaverweiden and husband T.K.; niece, Tracy; and nephews, Tommy and Freddy Klaverweiden and their children.

Papa Bill joined the Air Force upon graduation from high school in 1954. He was stationed at Barksdale Field where he worked in the dental lab. While there, he attended First Baptist Church of Bossier City, where he met his wife Patricia Ann Patrick. They were married on Thanksgiving Day in 1958 and recently celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on Thanksgiving Day 2008. Upon completing his military service with the Air Force, he attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Marketing. Bill worked in the insurance industry and the construction and real estate businesses. He was a member of the Bossier Lion's Club and was the long-time announcer of the Bossier Riding Club. As an early member of the First Baptist Church of Bossier City, he taught Sunday School for the mentally challenged. He later moved his membership to Haughton Baptist Church, where he taught Royal Ambassadors and served on the building committee for several projects. At the time of his death, he was a member of the Airline Baptist Church. After becoming homebound in 2000, he enjoyed watching worship services on television, especially TBN.

Papa Bill dedicated his life to God and his family. His children and grandchildren filled his life with joy. His final years were spent living on Lake Claiborne in Homer, LA, where he enjoyed fishing off his dock and watching his grandchildren swim. Papa Bill went to be home with the Lord on December 4, 2008, in Bossier City, LA, after a lengthy illness. He will be greatly missed.

"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." - 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

Pallbearers will be Erick Perry, Cody Perry, Brandon Townsend, Bobby Woodard, Sammy Patrick, and Christopher Patrick.

The family would like to express sincere appreciation to long-time friend Ralph Balentine, Dr. Mark Haynes, Dr. Rick Wolfe, Dr. Mike Sewell, and the 4th floor staff at Willis-Knighton Bossier that cared for him.