Bill Taylor

William Randolph Taylor, II

Born, raised, and died on the Taylor homestead in the prairie of western Lowndes County, Bill Taylor was a true lover of the people and places around him. William Randolph Taylor II (Bill), age 74, born on June 16, 1948, to Catherine and Penn Taylor, died at home after a multi-year battle with a rare cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Rebecca Taylor, and his children Stephanie Pate (Robert) of Columbus and Penn Taylor III (Laura) of Memphis, Missouri, and beloved grandchildren Ginger Pate, Bryce Pate, Georgia Rose Taylor, July Taylor, Comeese Taylor and his brother Bob Taylor (Renee) of Fairhope, AL. Cousins, Cay Posey (Hollis), Cathy Ford, Gene Barton (Cindy), Pat Hiden (Billy) and Jane Christopher. In-laws Bruce and Diana Hufford (Columbus), sister-in-law Sandy Fowlkes (Tim) of Orlando, Debbie Neumann (Charlie) of Ocean Spring, and brother-in-law Brian Hufford of Hollywood, FL.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Bill graduated from Lee High School in 1966 and attended college at Mississippi State University and East Mississippi Community College before joining the US Navy for one tour of duty during the Vietnam War. He was a life-long member of First United Methodist Church and served as treasurer of the Sojourners Sunday School Class and worked with the United Methodist Men. Bill was very active in the local and state Soil Conservation Service, holding both local and state offices. He served on the board of Prairie Land Water Association, was an officer of the Magowah Gun and Country Club Board, and was an assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 3. He was an active member of the Exchange Club and a proud veteran. He especially loved class reunions and reunions of the Naval Ship, USS Inchon. He retired as a rural mail carrier in 2018.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 4, at 2:00 o’clock with visitation one hour prior to the service at First United Methodist Church and burial following at Friendship Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to The Good Samaritan Medical Clinic P.O. Box 661, Columbus, MS 39703, Helping Hands 223 22nd Street North, Columbus, MS, Loaves and Fishes Ministry c/o FUMC P.O. Box 32, Columbus, MS 39703

Pallbearers: Dr. Eddie Bozeman, Randy Burris, Russell Caldwell, Billy Coleman, Jim Craddock, Dr. Bob Hudson, Dr. Jack Reed, Senator Chuck Younger.

Honorary Pallbearers- members of the Sojourners Sunday School Class.