Townson enjoyed reading and photography. He had worked as a farmer's helper and later drove a truck for a charitable organization before being drafted into the Army in March 1967. His mother recalled that Townson was proud to be sent to Vietnam in September of that year because he could serve his country. The 27-year-old private first class was a wire-man in Vietnam for the 504th Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Group. Townson died on June 9, 1968, in the collision of a Vietnamese bus with the military vehicle in which he was riding. He was survived by his parents, a brother and sister.