William Towns, Jr

William S. (Bill) Towns, Jr., age 82 of Gulf Breeze, went to be with the Lord unexpectedly at his home on Friday, May 15th. Bill was born in Natchez, MS, the only child of William S. Towns, Sr. and Edith Edens Towns on March 12, 1927. While in school in Meadville, MS Bill excelled in many sports including football, basketball, etc. Immediately upon graduation from high school, he left that day to join the U. S. Navy for the next two years fighting for freedom in the South Pacific. Honorably discharged from the Navy, Mr. Towns began his education at the University of Mississippi, Oxford. While attending Ole Miss, he and Doris Ezell eloped in 1946, spending their college years in Oxford, where he received his degree in 1949. Upon graduating, he was employed as the youngest store manager in the history of Montgomery Ward, going on to a successful career in retail management and later wholesale distribution of note. After moving to Gulf Breeze, FL in 1962, he and Doris established their permanent home. They became active members of First Baptist Church, Gulf Breeze, where Bill taught Sunday School for many years, served as a Deacon and contributed in many areas of service to the community and the Lord. In 1967 he was one of the Founding Charter Members of the Gulf Breeze Lions Club. At the time of his death, he was still owner and operator of a small family business in Fort Walton Beach for 34 years. Mr. Towns is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Doris Ezell Towns. He also leaves to mourn his death two children W.S. (Bill) Towns, III, Haines City, FL and daughter Diane Towns Walker (Ed), Enterprise, AL; five grandchildren: Janet Dawson Miller, Fort Walton Beach, FL; Dr. James E Walker, Jr. (Kristi), Collierville, TN; Melissa Walker Carter (Ned), Level Plains, AL; Jennifer L. Towns, Haines City, FL; W.S. Towns, IV, Raleigh, NC; great-grandson, Robert E. Miller (Nicole), Tallahassee, FL and three little great-granddaughters: Lily Carter, and Mallory and Riley Walker. Among others to mourn his passing are his sister-in-law, Ida Ezell Coleman, numerous loving nieces and nephews as well as many close special family friends. Rev. Jeff Spooneybarger, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Gulf Breeze will preside at the services to be held Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 11:30 AM at Rose Lawn Funeral Home, Gulf Breeze, FL. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment to be in the Barrancas National Cemetery, following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Interfaith Ministries, 4435 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Gulf Breeze, FL 32563

Service

Funeral Service

Rose Lawn Funeral Home
2942 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL  32563
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
11:30 AM

Gathering of Family and Friends

Rose Lawn Funeral Home
2942 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL  32563
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
10:30 AM

Cemetery

Burial

Barrancas National Cemetery
Hovey Road
Pensacola, FL