Worth B. Townsend, Jr., 92, of Florence, quietly entered heaven on Friday, April 25, 2025.  Mr. Townsend was born in Lumberton, NC on January 3, 1933. His early years were spent in Lake View, SC, graduating from Lake View High School in 1951. He attended Clemson University, then joined the United States Air Force in 1952 during the Korean War. While in the Air Force, he was trained  as an air traffic controller which became his life's work. Upon leaving active duty in the Air Force and enlisting in the Air Force Reserve, he was employed by the Civil Aeronautics Association (CAA) which later became the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He first served in the Fort Worth Air Route Traffic Control Center, eventually working his way across the country to Florence, SC, where he retired from the Florence Flight Service Station on January 3, 1988 with 35 years of government service at age 55. He was a licensed pilot at age seventeen and went on to earn many ratings to fly using only instruments and to fly various types of aircraft. Eventually, he became a flight instructor with a Gold Seal rating, the highest rating a flight instructor can earn. He continued his flight instruction by serving as the Flight Proficiency Officer of the Florence Civil Air Patrol. Mr. Townsend belonged to and served in many organizations. He was a past member of the SC Aviation Association, a life member of the Air Force AACS Alumni Association, and Air Traffic Controllers Association. He was in the Order of DeMonlay and a life member of Mecca/Hampton Lodge. He was a life member of the American Legion Post One, where he served as Chaplain for many years and a member of the 40 and 8 Society of Veterans. In addition, he was a life member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) and was a past member of the SC Tobacco Growers Association. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, both on his farm and the Woodstone Hunting Club.  Mr. Townsend was a born again Christian and served as an elder at Parkwood Presbyterian Church for many years. He loved God, family, and country.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Nancy, and three sons: Worth B. Townsend, III (Sonny), Mark, and Randy. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Kasey, Chandler, and Jessie, two great grandchildren, Hayden and Broxton (Brock) along with two sisters-in-law, Vickie S. Wright and Doris Townsend. He was predeceased by his brother, Sammy Townsend and three children: Steven Charles, Charles Worth and Malissa Ann. The family wishes to thank the nurses, techs and doctors of the fifth floor of McLeod Regional Medical Center as well as employees of McLeod Hospice for their excellent care.

A memorial service will be held at Cain Calcutt Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 29, at 2 PM with interment with military honors to follow in Florence Memorial Gardens.. Visitation will take place one hour before the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to Butterfly Fund, McLeod Hospice, 1203 E. Cheves Street, Florence, SC 29506.