William Townsend Obituary

William "Bill" Marvin Townsend

May 23, 1954 - March 20, 2026

HARTFORD, NY - William "Bill" Marvin Townsend, 71, a lifelong resident of Townsend Road, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Glens Falls Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

Born on May 23, 1954, in Glens Falls, he was the son of the late Silas and Eunice (Wells) Townsend.

Throughout his high school years, he took pleasure in playing sports, especially baseball. Bill graduated from Hartford Central School in 1972. He attended Adirondack Community College where he played basketball. He also attended Empire College graduating with his associates degree.

On August 9, 1975, Bill married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Colleen Jones, at North Granville Methodist Church.

He was a man whose life was deeply rooted in his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. This devotion was the centerpiece of his life. Bill was a former active member of the Hartford Yoked Parish and Adamsville Community Baptist Church. Most recently, he attended Argyle Presbyterian Church.

Bill grew up working on the family farm and began working on Philip Gibson's dairy farm during high school. His career later included positions at Hollingsworth & Vose in Greenwich and Mallinckrodt. He eventually retired from Ball Metal in Saratoga after nearly 32 years of service.

In his retirement, Bill found great joy delivering meals with the Washington County Office for the Aging. This time also allowed him to be fully present as a grandfather, frequently picking up his grandkids and driving them wherever they needed to go.

Bill enjoyed being a hobby farmer throughout his life, raising beef cattle, Holstein heifers and chickens. He truly loved spending his time outdoors tending to his animals and his gardens. He formerly served on the Hartford Town Planning Board for many years. Above all, Bill cherished his family. He thoroughly enjoyed his grandchildren's sporting events, and he took joy in being a part of their own farming adventures.

He was proud to be a 7th generation Townsend to live in Hartford. Bill will be remembered as a great leader of his family and was often sought out during life's challenges. He served as both a reliable sounding board and a person who would always step up whenever there was a need. A deep thinker, he was consistently thoughtful and careful with his words. Bill was a man of integrity and a strong work ethic, values he deeply believed in and sought to pass on to his family.

In addition to his parents Bill was predeceased by nephew, Gregory Bryer, his brother-in-law, Thomas LaPan, as well as his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Richard and Audrey Jones.

Left to honor his memory include his devoted wife of 50 years, Colleen; his loving children, Will Townsend and his wife, Janet of Argyle, Hillary Fiske and her husband, Nathan of Hartford; his cherished grandchildren, Nate Townsend Fiske, Audrey Kate Fiske, Celia Nathalie Townsend, Chloe Jones Townsend and Silas David Townsend; his treasured siblings, Peter Townsend and his wife, Melissa, Susan Bryer and her husband, Arthur, and Linda Townsend; his sister-in-law, Melanie LaPan; and his nephew, nieces and cousins.

Friends may call from 3 to 6 pm on Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Argyle Presbyterian Church, 48 Main Street, Argyle, NY 12809.

Funeral Service will be conducted at 11am on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the church.

A Graveside Service will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Morningside Cemetery in Hartford.

Memorial donations in Bill's memory can be made to Adamsville Community Baptist Church, 2091 County Route 43, Fort Edward, NY 12828 or Argyle Presbyterian Church, c/o Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 66, Argyle, NY 12809 or Hartford Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 121, Hartford, NY 12838.

Arrangements are in the care of M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 123 Main Street, Argyle, NY 12809. For online condolences and to view Bill's Book of Memories, please visit www.kilmerfuneralhome.com.