Billy Wayne Townson, Sr.

Billy Wayne was born on August 18, 1935 in Red Hill, Guntersville, Alabama to Grover Cleveland Townson and Leila Mae Edmonds Townson. His parents, who were sharecroppers, moved around a lot during his younger years settling in Grant, Alabama when he was approximately 10 years old. In 1951, when he was 16, the family moved to Albertville, Alabama and Billy started attending Douglas High School. While attending Douglas HS, Billy met Lynoitte Ivey, the love of his life. At age 17, Billy, and Lynoitte, age 15, fell in love and soon thereafter eloped to Iuka, Mississippi. On December 14, 1953, shortly after getting married, Billy Wayne joined the United States Air Force. He went to Lackland AFB, I San Antonio, Texas for basic training. In the fall of 1954 he was sent overseas to Sculthorpe AFB in County of Norfolk, England. He returned stateside in 1956 to be stationed at Hunter AFB, Savannah, Georgia. Billy received an Honorable Discharge from the USAF in October 1961.

In 1961 Billy moved his family to Texas working for Navico Plastic Co., living in both Grand Prairie and Dallas Texas. He made the transfer to Amax Aluminum Co. in Houston. Amax soon expanded to Evansville, Indiana, and Billy along with his family, moved with the company, to Evansville. Amax Aluminum closed its doors in the summer of 1971. Billy then spent 17 years working for Valley Packaging Meat Co. In 1988 Billy had the opportunity to join the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation as a Bus Driver, now both he and Lynn were working as Bus Drivers for EVSC. Billy enjoyed a 23 year career with the EVSC before both he and Lynn retired in January 2011.

After retiring, Billy and Lynn enjoyed traveling to see much of the country and visiting with friends and family. He gave his life to Christ on July 21, 1971. He became a member of Trinity Wesleyan Church that same year and at various times served both as a board member and a Deacon; he also went on several mission outreaches to the Indian Reservations in South Dakota. Trinity Wesleyan Church had to change locations and evolved into Crosspointe Trinity Church in Evansville.

.

Billy Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Grover Cleveland & Leila Mae (Edmonds) Townson of Albertville, Alabama; wife, Lynoitte Townson of Evansville; son, Billy W. Townson Jr. of Nashville, Tennessee; grandson, Jordan Eib of Marion, Indiana; granddaughter, Whitney DeVane of Dothan Alabama; brothers, “Ticker” Townson of Guntersville, Alabama and Howard Townson of Albertville, Alabama; and sister, Myrtle Jo Holsonback of Albertville, Alabama.

Billy is survived by his daughters, Sheila (Roger) Eib of Marion, Indiana, Deborah (Stanley) DeVane of Dothan Alabama, and Sandy (Larry) Gasser of Evansville; six grandsons, Jarred Eib of Marion, Indiana, Reed DeVane of Dothan, Alabama, Drew (Leslie) Gasser of Evansville, Chris (Heather) Gasser of Enterprise, Alabama, Tyler Townson of Evansville, and Billy Wayne Townson III of Indianapolis; three granddaughters, Donna (Jeff) Tripp of Dothan, Alabama, Autumn (Eric) Lambert of Maryville, Tennessee, and April (Eric) Ahlemeier of Selvin, Indiana; and 15 great- grandchildren.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to Amendisys Hospice as they provided exceptional care and compassion during this time.

Billy Wayne was a child of Jesus Christ and on March 17, 2024 at 4:47 pm an Angel came to his bedside, took his hand and he is now standing with the angels. What a sweet reunion Mom and Dad had on Sunday March 17th. It was three years in the making and now they both are in the presence of Jesus. AMEN!

Alexander Funeral Home East Chapel is honored to be entrusted with the care of Billy Wayne. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 with Pastor Duane Allison officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

The service will be livestreamed at www. Facebook.com/Funeral Stream USA. Flowers will be accepted.

Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com