04

February 2023

William H. Taylor

February 19, 1931
-
February 4, 2023
From

Ponte Vedra

William H. Taylor

The Visitation Will be held at:

  • at

The Memorial Will be held at:

The Burial Will be held at:

  • Ponte Vedra Valley Cemetery
  • Saturday, March 25, 2023
    at
    12:00 pm
  • 4750 Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
  • (904) 285-1130

Donations Can be made to:

William H. Taylor Sr. Obituary

“Good ol’ Rocky Top'' has lost one of its biggest fans! William H. Taylor Sr. was born on February 19, 1931 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and returned to God on Saturday, February 4, 2023, in Ponte Vedra, Florida, after a brief illness.

Bill was a 1953 graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He was president of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and remained a lifelong supporter of UT Athletics and Pike. He could often be seen wearing his favorite color, Tennessee orange.

Bill served in the United States Army and was stationed in Greenland as a Commander on ice cap missions. He was discharged as a Captain in the Army Reserves. He made lifelong friendships in his early adventures.

From 1957 until his formal retirement in 2006, Bill worked in the textile industry. He was a senior executive with Tuscarora Yarns in Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina, for 21 years, then purchased Hickory Throwing Company in Hickory, North Carolina, where he served as President and Chairman for 28 years. Hickory Throwing Company remained a special part of his life after retirement and he referred to its employees as his second family. He served on many textile boards, bank boards as a director, was President of Cabarrus Country Club in Concord, North Carolina, and served on many committees at Blowing Rock Country Club, the golf committee being his favorite. Bill also served as a deacon and elder for 12 years at First Presbyterian Church in Concord and was a member at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. His motto was, “As long as I’m having fun, I want to do it.”

Bill was a Christian first, a true patriot, an avid golfer, a smooth dancer, and a bridge player. He  owned and piloted several twin engine aircraft. He was proud to say he had traveled to all 50 states and to every continent except Antarctica. He said his service in the Arctic was “all the cold he needed.” “Big Bill” was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He made a point of calling his friends and family on a regular basis and we will all miss his signature “I love you and thank you for calling,” regardless of who made the call.

Bill was as loved as he was loving. People enjoyed his sense of humor, his directness and good common sense, and his funny stories. Bill was as wise as he was funny and his advice was usually taken. He was a true extrovert with a wide circle of friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil Herbert and Mary Lee Taylor; sister, Marie Powel; daughter, Katherine B. Taylor; and wife, Jane Foil Taylor. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Katherine (Kitty) Taylor; son, William H. Taylor Jr. (Christy); daughters, Monica Johnston (Robert) and Jenna Peeler (Tory); six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, his niece Beth Powel, and many other nieces and nephews.

A private family service will be held at Ponte Vedra Valley on March 25th at 11:00 a.m. Those attending the service are invited to wear a touch of Tennessee orange!  The service will be livestreamed and recorded directly below this obituary beginning approximately ten minutes before the service.

Memorials may be sent to the Salvation Army or the donor’s charity of choice.