William Shields “Bill” Towry
May 18, 1955 -
June 24, 2020

Visitation

June 28, 2020
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Service 

June 28, 2020
2:00 PM

Interment

Obituary

Funeral service for William Shields “Bill” Towry, age 65, of Fayetteville, TN will be conducted at 2 PM on Sunday, June 28, 2020 at Higgins Funeral Home, with Bro. Anthony Perry officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Gardens.

Bill was born on May 18, 1955 in Lincoln County, TN to the late William Burton and Billie Lindsay Towry. He was an owner/operator truck driver for 50 years. Bill drove for several companies over his career, Road One Logistics (Jack Daniels Distillery), Brown Transport of Georgia, and Clarksville Refrigerator Lines/Great Wide (Shelbyville). He was an operations manager for S&S Nurseries in Athens, AL and Lefty’s Transportation in Toney, AL before becoming district managers at , Elk Valley Freight Lines, and Co-Owner and operator of Towry Enterprises, Inc. in Park City. Bill would always fill in as a driver whenever he could. He and his red Peterbilt were well known and respected throughout the trucking industry, due to Bill’s extensive knowledge of truck driving as well as operations. In his younger years, he worked at Towry Cotton and Grain in the Kirkland Community and enjoyed fishing at the lake with his dog, Peaches in his spare time. As Bill grew older, he enjoyed riding his Harley, spending time with the family and friends, and pursuing his interest in fast cars. He was a member of Fayetteville Elks Lodge #1792. Bill passed away on June 24, 2020 in Huntsville, AL.

Survivors include his son, William Shields Towry, II of McBurg, TN ; granddaughter, Etta Brynn Towry of McBurg, TN; sister, Linda (Hugh) Overton of Dothan, AL; brother, Burt (Suzanne) Towry, of Franklin, TN; nephews, Michael Lane and Jacob Towry, and niece, Lindsay (Carter) Hawkins.

Visitation with the family will be from 12 PM until time of service on Sunday at Higgins Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.

Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of William Shields “Bill” Towry.

In accordance with State of Tennessee Executive Order No. 38 by Governor Bill Lee, social gatherings are limited to no more than 50 participants. For your safety we recommend face coverings, 6 feet social distancing, practicing good hygiene, and remaining home if you feel sick. The family invites you to share memories at higginsfh.com.

Video Services

28 Comments

  1. David Kinser

    So sad about Bill my thoughts and prayers are with all the Towry family my God give you peace

    Reply
  2. Delora (Mullins) Larson

    I’m so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I worked with him, at Lefty’s Transportation. He was such a good guy.

    Reply
  3. Roberta Kidd

    Our families have been friends for a long time. Very sorry to hear of the passing of Bill. The family has my sincere sympathy.

    Reply
  4. Steven Shelton

    Bill was a true American to the core. He loved his friends, Gina, and treated everyone with respect. And he especially loved his Red Truck! I’ll miss us bah-ha-ha Bobby Pigg jokes and funny stories.
    Rest In Peace bud, and have old red put the hammer down in Heaven!

    Reply
  5. Ken and Charlene Stewart

    We are so sorry that the world, Gina Baker, and Bill’s family lost Bill so unexpectedly. Hold friends dear and find some comfort in their love and support.

    Reply
  6. Tommy Beavers

    Prayers to Shields and family for their great loss. We recently talked and about our children and how special grandchildren are. One could bank on anything Bill told you and was one of the two best dispatchers I have driven for. I know that my father in law Preacher Man and Yellow Jacket have already had a grand reunion and are taking care of Heaven’s Trucking needs.

    Reply
  7. jerry reese

    Bill was a good friend and a real pro when it comes to trucking. He will be greatly missed by many. Rest in peace ! Jerry Reese

    Reply
  8. Ray & Sue Cary Simmons

    May God comfort all those that mourn the passing of our good friend Bill.

    Reply
  9. Ruthie Jeans

    So very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Sending prayers for comfort to your family.

    Reply
  10. Lex Smith

    A true friend in school and well beyond Gone way too soon!

    Reply
  11. Sherry Brown

    I was saddened to hear the new of Bill’s passing. You will definitely be missed and it was a pleasure working with you. RIP my friend. Prayers for the family

    Reply
  12. Tammy Bigham Dean

    I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.

    Reply
  13. Douglas Dietz

    While working at Lefty’s, Bill was a dear friend of mine and he was always good natured and light hearted! Bill also had a dear and loving family! Bill will certainly be missed.

    Reply
  14. Jeff Sargent

    Shields, you don’t know me, but I was a friend of your dad’s. Sir, I am so sorry for not only your loss, but the loss of an entire County. Your Dad was a good and decent member of the community. His loss will be felt throughout Lincoln County.

    Reply
  15. Ron & Susan Arrick

    We are saddened to hear that Bill passed away. He will truly be missed by his family and his many friends. He was a good friend. Shields, Burt and Linda- you have our deepest sympathy and prayers.

    Reply
    • Burton L Towry

      Thank you Ron and Susan.

      Reply
  16. Jeff Reynolds

    I met Bill just recently in 2013 as he was my neighbor just down the road. Always a smile and laugh when we saw each other. I always knew it was Bill going by in his red Peterbilt whether morning or night. He will be missed. Prayers to Shields and the family during this difficult time. May God’s presence be felt and His love shared.

    Reply
  17. Janet Kinser Gray

    Linda, so sorry for your lost. Prayers for you and your family.
    Janet Kinser Gray

    Reply
  18. Rick White

    Such a Great guy,We went to school together,He will be deeply missed.

    Reply
  19. Kim Crabtree

    Shields so sorry for your loss praying for you and your family.

    Reply
  20. Gina Baler

    To my love, will miss you so much. Thank God for giving you to me. Now you are not in any pain . You can go be Good Lord. Wait on me at the pearly gates. I love, miss you Bill. Love your Lucy (Gina) Rest In Peace SweetLove

    Reply
  21. Jerry and Barb Hargrove

    Jerry and I are saddened to hear of Bill passing away. Bill was a grade above me (Barb Whitmore Hargrove), and we grew up together in the ARP Church. Always a nice guy, and he will be missed by many. May God wrap his arms around you and give you comfort and strength.

    Reply
    • Ronnie and Eloise Hudgins

      Shields and family . So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Ronnie and Eloise Hudgins

      Reply
  22. Bill Towry

    My heart felt sympathy to the family. Bill and I were distant cousins. I was honered to share the same name with him.

    Reply
  23. Vickie Nixon

    Bill was a classmate of mine for 12 years and will be missed.

    Reply
  24. BUD

    Goodbye old friend, it’s been quite a party.
    ” BUD”

    Reply
    • Karen Hoskins Long

      I know you will miss him. I was thinking about you. Bill’s death was so sudden. Truly sad.

      Reply
  25. Lynn Sharpe (Paddlefoot)

    So sorry for the family members loss. My heart and prayers to all.

    Reply

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Memories

28 Comments

  1. David Kinser

    So sad about Bill my thoughts and prayers are with all the Towry family my God give you peace

    Reply
  2. Delora (Mullins) Larson

    I’m so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I worked with him, at Lefty’s Transportation. He was such a good guy.

    Reply
  3. Roberta Kidd

    Our families have been friends for a long time. Very sorry to hear of the passing of Bill. The family has my sincere sympathy.

    Reply
  4. Steven Shelton

    Bill was a true American to the core. He loved his friends, Gina, and treated everyone with respect. And he especially loved his Red Truck! I’ll miss us bah-ha-ha Bobby Pigg jokes and funny stories.
    Rest In Peace bud, and have old red put the hammer down in Heaven!

    Reply
  5. Ken and Charlene Stewart

    We are so sorry that the world, Gina Baker, and Bill’s family lost Bill so unexpectedly. Hold friends dear and find some comfort in their love and support.

    Reply
  6. Tommy Beavers

    Prayers to Shields and family for their great loss. We recently talked and about our children and how special grandchildren are. One could bank on anything Bill told you and was one of the two best dispatchers I have driven for. I know that my father in law Preacher Man and Yellow Jacket have already had a grand reunion and are taking care of Heaven’s Trucking needs.

    Reply
  7. jerry reese

    Bill was a good friend and a real pro when it comes to trucking. He will be greatly missed by many. Rest in peace ! Jerry Reese

    Reply
  8. Ray & Sue Cary Simmons

    May God comfort all those that mourn the passing of our good friend Bill.

    Reply
  9. Ruthie Jeans

    So very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Sending prayers for comfort to your family.

    Reply
  10. Lex Smith

    A true friend in school and well beyond Gone way too soon!

    Reply
  11. Sherry Brown

    I was saddened to hear the new of Bill’s passing. You will definitely be missed and it was a pleasure working with you. RIP my friend. Prayers for the family

    Reply
  12. Tammy Bigham Dean

    I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.

    Reply
  13. Douglas Dietz

    While working at Lefty’s, Bill was a dear friend of mine and he was always good natured and light hearted! Bill also had a dear and loving family! Bill will certainly be missed.

    Reply
  14. Jeff Sargent

    Shields, you don’t know me, but I was a friend of your dad’s. Sir, I am so sorry for not only your loss, but the loss of an entire County. Your Dad was a good and decent member of the community. His loss will be felt throughout Lincoln County.

    Reply
  15. Ron & Susan Arrick

    We are saddened to hear that Bill passed away. He will truly be missed by his family and his many friends. He was a good friend. Shields, Burt and Linda- you have our deepest sympathy and prayers.

    Reply
    • Burton L Towry

      Thank you Ron and Susan.

      Reply
  16. Jeff Reynolds

    I met Bill just recently in 2013 as he was my neighbor just down the road. Always a smile and laugh when we saw each other. I always knew it was Bill going by in his red Peterbilt whether morning or night. He will be missed. Prayers to Shields and the family during this difficult time. May God’s presence be felt and His love shared.

    Reply
  17. Janet Kinser Gray

    Linda, so sorry for your lost. Prayers for you and your family.
    Janet Kinser Gray

    Reply
  18. Rick White

    Such a Great guy,We went to school together,He will be deeply missed.

    Reply
  19. Kim Crabtree

    Shields so sorry for your loss praying for you and your family.

    Reply
  20. Gina Baler

    To my love, will miss you so much. Thank God for giving you to me. Now you are not in any pain . You can go be Good Lord. Wait on me at the pearly gates. I love, miss you Bill. Love your Lucy (Gina) Rest In Peace SweetLove

    Reply
  21. Jerry and Barb Hargrove

    Jerry and I are saddened to hear of Bill passing away. Bill was a grade above me (Barb Whitmore Hargrove), and we grew up together in the ARP Church. Always a nice guy, and he will be missed by many. May God wrap his arms around you and give you comfort and strength.

    Reply
    • Ronnie and Eloise Hudgins

      Shields and family . So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Ronnie and Eloise Hudgins

      Reply
  22. Bill Towry

    My heart felt sympathy to the family. Bill and I were distant cousins. I was honered to share the same name with him.

    Reply
  23. Vickie Nixon

    Bill was a classmate of mine for 12 years and will be missed.

    Reply
  24. BUD

    Goodbye old friend, it’s been quite a party.
    ” BUD”

    Reply
    • Karen Hoskins Long

      I know you will miss him. I was thinking about you. Bill’s death was so sudden. Truly sad.

      Reply
  25. Lynn Sharpe (Paddlefoot)

    So sorry for the family members loss. My heart and prayers to all.

    Reply

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