Beverly L. Townsend

Beverly “Biff” L. Townsend, 84, of Greenville, husband of Elizabeth Drachenberg Townsend, passed away on Saturday, September 18, 2021.

In addition to his wife, Elizabeth, Mr. Townsend is survived by their daughter, Catherine Huey and her husband Tripp, and their sons, Owen and Wyatt.

He was preceded in death by two sisters and three brothers.

Biff Townsend was born and raised in the Judson Mill community in Greenville, SC. He was a son of the late Henry and Helen Jones Townsend. He attended Parker High School and later worked in the mill as many did in those days. He then enlisted in the US Army where he served as a medic, stationed in Germany. Upon his discharge from the Army, Biff moved to Chicago, Illinois, to join other family members who had also relocated. In Chicago, he began work at the Ludwig Drum Company. At Ludwig, he met a beautiful Polish immigrant, Elizabeth Drachenberg, who was also employed there. They married and had one daughter, Catherine or “Kasia” in Polish, whom he adored and continuously spoiled. Surrounded by his wife and others Poles in Chicago, he gleaned the nickname, “Biffski,” a name his two beloved grandsons would later call him as well. When Ludwig Drum Company closed, he took his family back home to Greenville, SC. He returned to a career in textiles at Fiberweb of North America, where he worked until his retirement. In retirement and later failing health, he was dutifully cared for by Elizabeth. They celebrated 47 years of marriage in June.  

The family would like to thank McCall Hospice House, where Biff was treated with great care and dignity in the final days of his life.  He was able to drift from this world no longer in pain, but not before he gave one last big beautiful smile to his loved ones, a moment they all cherish.  

The family would also like to thank his closest niece, Lynn Howe, who is not only his namesake, but a true godsend in helping them through this difficult process. 

Biff would have been 85 on November 18.  As such, the family is planning a Celebration of Life around that time, in the true fashion he would have enjoyed- with family, friends, laughter, and of course, good food. Details will be announced in the near future.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to: The Greenville Humane Society or McCall Hospice House.