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.
28 Comments To "William Shields “Bill” Towry"
#1 Comment By Lynn Sharpe (Paddlefoot) On June 25, 2020 @ 1:22 pm
So sorry for the family members loss. My heart and prayers to all.
#2 Comment By BUD On June 25, 2020 @ 2:01 pm
Goodbye old friend, it’s been quite a party.
” BUD”
#3 Comment By Karen Hoskins Long On June 28, 2020 @ 12:42 pm
I know you will miss him. I was thinking about you. Bill’s death was so sudden. Truly sad.
#4 Comment By Vickie Nixon On June 25, 2020 @ 2:26 pm
Bill was a classmate of mine for 12 years and will be missed.
#5 Comment By Bill Towry On June 25, 2020 @ 3:23 pm
My heart felt sympathy to the family. Bill and I were distant cousins. I was honered to share the same name with him.
#6 Comment By Jerry and Barb Hargrove On June 25, 2020 @ 3:31 pm
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.
#7 Comment By Ronnie and Eloise Hudgins On June 26, 2020 @ 3:36 pm
Shields and family . So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Ronnie and Eloise Hudgins
#8 Comment By Gina Baler On June 25, 2020 @ 4:06 pm
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
#9 Comment By Kim Crabtree On June 25, 2020 @ 4:40 pm
Shields so sorry for your loss praying for you and your family.
#10 Comment By Rick White On June 25, 2020 @ 6:03 pm
Such a Great guy,We went to school together,He will be deeply missed.
#11 Comment By Janet Kinser Gray On June 25, 2020 @ 8:23 pm
Linda, so sorry for your lost. Prayers for you and your family.
Janet Kinser Gray
#12 Comment By Jeff Reynolds On June 25, 2020 @ 9:00 pm
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.
#13 Comment By Ron & Susan Arrick On June 25, 2020 @ 9:15 pm
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.
#14 Comment By Burton L Towry On June 29, 2020 @ 1:47 pm
Thank you Ron and Susan.
#15 Comment By Jeff Sargent On June 26, 2020 @ 1:00 am
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.
#16 Comment By Douglas Dietz On June 26, 2020 @ 7:28 am
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.
#17 Comment By Tammy Bigham Dean On June 26, 2020 @ 8:04 am
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.
#18 Comment By Sherry Brown On June 26, 2020 @ 9:53 am
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
#19 Comment By Lex Smith On June 26, 2020 @ 9:58 am
A true friend in school and well beyond Gone way too soon!
#20 Comment By Ruthie Jeans On June 26, 2020 @ 10:39 am
So very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Sending prayers for comfort to your family.
#21 Comment By Ray & Sue Cary Simmons On June 26, 2020 @ 11:46 am
May God comfort all those that mourn the passing of our good friend Bill.
#22 Comment By jerry reese On June 26, 2020 @ 3:13 pm
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
#23 Comment By Tommy Beavers On June 27, 2020 @ 6:58 am
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.
#24 Comment By Ken and Charlene Stewart On June 28, 2020 @ 8:55 am
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.
#25 Comment By Steven Shelton On June 28, 2020 @ 12:15 pm
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!
#26 Comment By Roberta Kidd On June 28, 2020 @ 12:47 pm
Our families have been friends for a long time. Very sorry to hear of the passing of Bill. The family has my sincere sympathy.
#27 Comment By Delora (Mullins) Larson On June 28, 2020 @ 4:34 pm
I’m so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I worked with him, at Lefty’s Transportation. He was such a good guy.
#28 Comment By David Kinser On June 28, 2020 @ 7:27 pm
So sad about Bill my thoughts and prayers are with all the Towry family my God give you peace