William H. Townsend | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives | |
| In office 1973–1997 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 14, 1914 West Point, Mississippi, US |
| Died | September 15, 2005 (aged 91) Little Rock, Arkansas, US |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Tuskegee University, Illinois College of Optometry |
| Occupation | Politician, optometrist |
William H. Townsend (July 30, 1914 – September 15, 2005) was an American politician, civil rights activist, and optometrist who was one of the first African Americans to serve in the Arkansas State Legislature since the Reconstruction era. He was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives as a Democrat representing Little Rock in 1972 and went on to serve twelve terms in office until 1997.