Esther Lee Hill Townson

Esther Lee (Hill) Townson, 100, passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. 

Visitation: 6-8 pm Wednesday, March 27, 2024, White’s Funeral Home Azle, 105 Denver Trail, Azle 
Visitation: 9-10 am Thursday, March 28, 2024, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1010 Timberoaks Dr, Azle 
Funeral Service: 10 am Thursday, March 28, 2024, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1010 Timberoaks Dr, Azle 
Graveside Service: 2 pm Thursday, March 28, 2024, Mount Olivet Cemetery, 2301 N Sylvania Ave Fort Worth 

Lee was born in Pegram, Idaho, on September 29, 1923; the daughter of Stanley Abraham and Nora Lee (Montee) Hill. She met the love of her life, William (Bill) Dewey Townson, at the wedding of one of their friends at Hill Field Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah. Soon thereafter, they had their own military wedding at the Base Chapel on July 30, 1943. Three months after they were married Bill was shipped off to England where he served in the 8th Air Force. Lee moved to Washington, DC and began working as a secretary for the Surgeon General until the end of WWII. Later they were sealed together in the Mesa Arizona Temple. They would go on to spend over 53 happy years together before his passing in 1996. After the war, they moved to Texas, started their family, and began to work on their education. Lee graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor's and a master's degree in elementary education. 
Lee was an exceptional teacher for many years where she shared her passion for music with her students. After retiring from education, she would go on to work as a tax professional well into her nineties. Lee lived life to the fullest, and she loved to spend her time with family and friends. She made sure that everyone received her love and support. She also loved water and snow skiing, scuba diving, as well as dancing. While she had a true zest for life, she was also a strong woman of faith, who enjoyed playing piano. She learned to play the guitar, banjo, and recorder as an adult as she polished her piano and organ skills so that she could play for church services. 
Of all her interests in life, her first love was her family. Her children and grandchildren were the light of her life, and they knew that she would always be there to support them. Lee spoiled her grandchildren. She made sure they had everything that they could want or need to fulfill their dreams. Her family knows her to be tenacious and headstrong. No obstacle could stand in her way. We remember all the long drives to Utah to visit family. She loved driving our big white van while sipping on her cherry Coke to stay awake. In fact, driving for her was an expression of freedom. 

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, William Dewey Townson; granddaughter, Madison Townson; brother, Stanley “Speck” Hill; and sisters, Marie Olsen and Margaret Mangum. 

Survivors include her children, Bonnie Tyler, Karen Earnest (Mel), Walter Townson (Donna), Colleen Jones (Kim), and John Townson; grandchildren, Cassie Surginer, Christopher Tyler, Tony Tyler, Dori Brooks, Matthew Earnest, Tiffany Fontenot, Will Fontenot, Christopher Townson, William Ryan Townson, Charles Jones, Elisabeth Owens, Michael Jones, and Whitney Hutton; great-grandchildren, Maria Tyler, Calvin Tyler, Harrison Fontenot, Jamie Fontenot, Adlar Phillips, Alex Owens, Andrew Owens, Jayden Gutierrez, Jordan Van Slyke, and Jase Hutton; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of extended family members and friends.