Lt. Col. Emory Townsley, Jr. , 83, peacefully departed this life on November 30, 2024. He was affectionately known as "Skip". He was the son of Emory Townsley, Sr. and Emma (McCutchen) Sirmans and raised by his stepfather Robert Sirmans. Skip was born in Valdosta, GA in 1941 and raised in New Brunswick, NJ. After graduating from New Brunswick High School, he received his B.S. in Accounting from Syracuse University, followed by receiving his J.D. from Syracuse Law School and Masters of International Law from George Washington Law School.

Skip enlisted in the Air Force in 1958. He valued this service highly and attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His service included tours in Vietnam and the Gulf; his decoration and awards included numerous bronze star and meritorious service medals. He retired in 1995.

Skip was also the author of beloved books and short stories based on the history of Fredericksburg, VA, with the most popular being "The Messenger on Caroline Street".

Skip was preceded in death by his mother, Emma Lee (McCutchen) Sirmans; stepfather, Robert Sirmans; grandmother, Alberta Lewis; and father, Emory Townsley Sr.

He is survived by his wife, Josephine V. Townsley; sons, Emory Landwehr (Helga) and Chicago R. Townsley; daughter, Destiny Sands (Marcus); stepdaughter, Marcia Corprew; goddaughters, Judith M. Groce and Ruth Landwehr; godson, Nekenon Crawford; godsister, Jeannie Williams; brother, Pastor Randy Sirmans; brother-in-law, Edward Lee Mickleberry (Pearl); sister-in-law, Mary Ways; granddaughter, Jayla Morgan; grandsons, Stuart Townsley, Chicago Townsley,  Cameron Townsley, Cagn Townsley, Cason Townsley, Sonny Sands and Tano Sands; uncle, Willie H. Lewis ( Claudette); aunts, Jessie Willis, Mary McCutchen, Julia McCutchen, and Myrtle Lewis; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A viewing will be held at A.L. Bennett and Son Funeral Home, 200 Butternut Drive, Fredericksburg, VA, 22408, on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 9:00 AM followed by a funeral service at 10:00 AM. The interment will follow at Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Road, Triangle, VA 22172, at 12:30 PM.