Buell Ray Townsend

Buell Townsend was born on April 10, 1933 in Winters, TX.  He was the son of Henry and Blanche Townsend.  He went home to be with the Lord on February 2, 2019 at the age of 85, at home, surrounded by his loving family.

Buell grew up in Austin, TX where he made many life-long friendships that spanned generations.  After high school, with a passion for military and war history, he joined the US Navy.  During his time in the Service, he participated in combat operations in the Korean War.  He was extremely proud of his military background and wore his Navy baseball hats until the very end of his life.  Buell spoke often and fondly about the friends he made while in the service. He had vivid memories of the beautiful places he traveled to while on active duty. He was able to visit many countries including Italy, Japan, Greece, and Spain.  While at one of his naval duty stations in Boston, MA he met his first wife, Maria. They were married for 25 years until she passed away.  His time in the military left a lasting impact on Buell’s life.  As often as possible, he would attend his annual Navy reunion with shipmates in Fall River, Massachusetts where his vessel, The USS Joseph P Kennedy, is now a museum.

Buell’s character was most exemplified by his love for family and children.  He constantly had a smile on his face and had an infectious laugh.  When a very close family member was unable to care for their unborn child, Buell & Maria immediately stepped in, adopting Chris Townsend on the day he was born.  Buell raised Chris and was the best father a child could ask for.  In addition to Chris, he always opened his home to kids who needed a father figure.  In the mid 1960s, he became an avid youth football coach in Austin where he led the Delwood Northeast Optimist Club’s Mustangs to many Austin city championships.  One of his biggest accomplishments was watching the kids he coached succeed in college and even go on to have NFL careers.  Many of these kids, as grown men, would stop by his house through the years to pay respect to their mentor, Buell.

One of his happiest moments was marrying Mercy Townsend and gaining two additional sons, Ernie Hinojosa and Michael Buchanan.  Mercy and Buell were happily married for nearly 40 years.    She was by his side, caring for Buell and loving him like a warrior until the very end of his life.  Their self-proclaimed biggest life accomplishment was raising their 3 boys together.  When they weren’t raising Chris, Ernie, and Michael, they found time to enjoy traveling around the United States.  Buell thoroughly enjoyed time with his family and especially his grandkids, Jacob, Cate, Victoria, Danielle, Nick, and Jack.  Buell never missed one of his grandchildren’s sporting events, regardless of extreme heat or rain.  He was their biggest fan and always cheered them on from the front row!  He will be missed greatly.

His mother and father preceded him in death, as did his first wife, Maria Townsend.  Buell is survived by his loving wife Mercy Townsend of Taylor, his sons Chris Townsend (Natalie) of Spicewood, Ernie Hinojosa (Jana) of Flower Mound, Michael Buchanan of Austin, his grandchildren Jacob Townsend of Hutto, Cate Townsend of Hutto, Nick Hinojosa of North Carolina, Victoria Hinojosa of Dallas, Danielle Hinojosa of Denton, and Jack Townsend of Spicewood.  He is also survived by his nephew Gary Grabowske of Dripping Springs.

Services will be at Providence Funeral Home in Taylor, TX on Wednesday, February 6 ^th at 11 AM and visitation will be at 10 AM.  Interment will be at Hutto Cemetery.