Hi Shane,
I have John's wedding cert which says William was a labourer. One other reference I have to William says he was a gardener. John was in the army from 1842-1863 so doesn't appear on much except Army records. Searching on William, assuming birth 1770-1800, doesn't show anyone relevant around Coolbanagher or even Laois - although the tithe records show a William Townsend in Kilkenny, 1829 and 1833, and in Carlow, 1834, but I don't have any way of knowing if he's the right William Townsend.
Will get death cert.
Cheers
Kate