Local 4 mourns the sudden loss of beloved team member Bill Townsend

Local 4 shares the difficult news of the sudden passing of Bill Townsend, a beloved member of the news team for 25 years. Known affectionately as "Sweet Billy T," Bill was a staple of the morning news, arriving every day at 2:30 a.m. to manage live shots, helicopters, and field crews. He edited countless video pieces, crafting the images viewers saw each morning, and contributed to Detroit’s annual Thanksgiving parade coverage for nearly two decades. Bill was always ready to help a co-worker and was an avid old-school video gamer. His infectious laugh and positive spirit were a source of comfort during tough situations. The Local 4 family sends deepest condolences to Bill’s wife, Mari, and their family. Rest in peace, Bill. You will be deeply missed.