Thursday, October 1, 2026
William Sidney Townsend (Sid) was received with joy by his Father in Heaven July 14, 2026, from his home in Granbury, Texas – his close family by his side.
Sidney was born Dec. 28, 1934, with his twin sister Jeanette in their family home in Lamar County, Texas. One of six children (Byron, Allen, Rebecca, Gene, and Jeanette) Sidney’s parents were Jim and Bertie Thompson Townsend, a farming family. Sid worked on the farm alongside his father until the Army called in 1957. There he was trained in radio and electronics technology, which became a lifelong interest.
Sidney married Elaine Alice Hanks on June 4, 1960, in the very first traditional church wedding in their community – complete with suits and a white wedding gown in Maxey Baptist Church. Their 66 years together produced two children David (spouse Barbara) and Jeana (spouse Steve Huff) Their two grandchildren are Joseph Townsend and Victoria Lester.
Sidney’s working life included time as a technician at Texas Instruments, establishing an independent auto repair shop, his own farming and ranching operation, and a custom cabinet building business. Suffice it to say: If a human could build it, Sid could operate, repair, and improve it.
Sidney possessed a deep faith and commitment to the Word of God. He led men’s Sunday school classes and served as a deacon at Maxey Baptist church until the couple moved to Granbury in 2009. There he served as Deacon at First Baptist Church, Granbury, for a further 10 years.
The couple spent 12 years traveling by RV in service with the Texas Baptist Men construction volunteers, including many years heading the mobile cabinet building crew. “Doing good work with good people.”
After losing his sight in later years, Sid continued to enjoy music, his friends at the Hood County Y and the Dallas Mavericks games.
Save a place for us, Dad.
Memorial Service: Monday, 20 July, 2:00 p.m., First Baptist Church of Granbury Chapel
Graveside Service: Pyles Cemetery, Lamar County, Texas at a date and time to be announced later.
