Reverend Wilbur Nathaniel Townley, 72, of Front Royal, Virginia passed away on Monday, October 25, 2021 at his home.
A Celebration of Life in-person service will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 12:00 PM. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM at First Baptist Church, 14 W 1st Street, Front Royal, Virginia with burial to follow at Panorama Memorial Gardens in Strasburg, Virginia.
Reverend Townley was born February 25, 1949 in Warren County, Virginia. He was the oldest child of the late Wilbur and Dorothy Grayson Townley. He graduated from Warren County High School and received a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Carolina University. After graduating high school in 1969, he enlisted and honorably served in the United States Navy aboard the USS WASP aircraft carrier.
He accepted the Lord and was baptized 1964, ordained into ministry in 1982, licensed to preach in 1983, and was active in the youth ministry as well as other ministries at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. Further, he was ordained in 1987 by the Northern Virginia Baptist Association. He was a pastor or co-pastor at many churches over the years. He was the current pastor of Forest Grove Baptist Church in Amissville, Virginia.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Reverend Claudia Gallo Townley and his father, Deacon Wilbur Arthur Townley. Survivors include son, William Nathaniel Townley of Tampa, Florida; step-daughter Kelly Rose Marie Carpenter of Ashburn, Virginia; step-son John Brennan of Raleigh, North Carolina; sister, Patricia Townley-Booker of New Llano, Louisiana; sister, Anita Townley-Kellam of Martinsville, Virginia; sister, Dodie Townley-Adams of Front Royal, Virginia; five grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Anyone who wishes to express or share their moments and sentiments, please send them via email to avirtuous2@gmail.com. We will include them in the funeral service program if received by Noon on November 3, 2021. Please include your name(s) in the correspondence.
In accordance with CDC guidelines, masks and social distancing are requested. In the interest of safety of those attending the service, there will not be a repast after the services.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.maddoxfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are being handled by Maddox Funeral Home, Front Royal.
We will miss you so much Nathaniel. In these later years, although we only ran into each other at events, or shopping, we could just pick up and go on. You and Claudia were such an integral part of our walk with Jesus. Your example of the love, kindness and generosity of spirit was always an encouragement to so many. We are so thankful to have known you here and wait for the day we will all be together in His Heaven.
Words cannot express how much l will miss Rev. Townley as Pastor of Forest Grove Baptist church. He was my spiritual leader, counselor and friend. Every Sunday he would greet me with a smile and a cheerful-“Well good morning Miss Debbie!” His singing was heavenly. I checked my phone messages the other day and came across a message from him. “Just wanted to see how you are doing……..” I will not delete that message- l will not delete the impact he had in my life.
RIP Pastor. “There will be no more scars in heaven except for the hands that hold you now.” ❤
Pastor Townley was such a godly man. He was our beloved shepherd at Forest Grove, and also our brother. We look forward to the day we’ll see him again in eternity.
From time to time, I would attend Forest Grove Baptist Church. Pastor Townley was a fine preacher. He made everyone feel so welcome. Forest Grove church is a wonderful church. His presence there just seemed like such a fit. He was a very kind man and will be missed. God bless Pastor Townley.
Our condolences to Nathaniel’s family and friends. He and his wife were such wonderful people and a true blessing to everyone they were around.
We were saddened to hear of Nathaniel’s passing. He retired from Fauquier County Environmental Services in 2013 after faithfully servicing the department for over 18 years.
Our sympathy goes out to all his family. May he rest in peace.
I worked with him for several years and even shared an office with him. My heart breaks for his son and family. We were going to see each other in Tampa when he visited his son next. He was such a wonderful man and I enjoyed every time I spoke with him. We kept in touch and the last time I spoke with him was this past summer. Oh I was going to call him on election day as we always had a discussion. But unfortunately that was the day I learned that he had passed away. I cried. RIP Nathaniel, a favorite friend of mine.
Our heartfelt condolences to the family of Pastor Townley. We are so sorry for the loss of your dear loved one. We pray that our Lord will strengthen and comfort you, both now and in the days ahead.
Pastor Kirkwood Hall And Church Congregation
Gethsemane Church Of Christ
Rocky Mount, Va.
Dodie,
I was so very very sad to learn today of your brother’s passing. I know you and the Townley and Adams’ families will miss him very much. My prayers are with you all.
Denise Nelson
Forest Grove Baptist Church was truly blessed to have Reverend Townley as our pastor, leader, and friend. He will be missed forever. I thank God I had the privilege of being, and always will be, a part of his “family of God.”