William Redd Taylor

1938 - 2018

NEWPORT NEWS - William "Bill" Redd Taylor, died at his home on March 3, 2018 due to complications following a stroke. He was 80 years old and had been a Peninsula resident since 1972. Born January 9, 1938 in Richmond, he graduated from Benedictine High School in 1956. He held several jobs in sales after high school including the Richmond Times Dispatch, Jostens class rings and Xerox, and also served 6 months in the Army, all while enjoying his real passion of art, drawing and painting on the side. In 1966 he married the love of his life, Gale Page Taylor and soon after, devoted his full-time career to wildlife art. He became a successful wildlife artist with many accolades to his name including having his art displayed in the Smithsonian Institution of Fine Arts, being commissioned by the telephone company to do the cover of the Virginia telephone book, and receiving many "Best in Show" awards when he would exhibit his art. He had a deep love of wildlife art, nature, good music, and most of all, spending time with family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mary (Polly) Redd Taylor and James Lawrence Taylor; his oldest brother, James Lawrence Taylor, Jr., all of Richmond; and his loving wife of 49 years, Gale Page Taylor, of Newport News. He is survived by his son, William (Will) Redd Taylor II of Denver, CO, his daughter, Erin Schroeder (Ty), and his only grandson, Ryan Schroeder, all of Casper, WY; his sister, Nancy Ford of Newport News and his brother, Charles F. Taylor (Sharon) of Virginia Beach; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at Peninsula Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 6 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday March 7 at 11:00 a.m. at Peninsula Memorial Park, with Rev. Bill Powell of Village Christian Fellowship in Suffolk officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Village Christian Fellowship, 3013 Bridge Road, Suffolk VA 23435 or charity of your choice.