Billy Lee "Red" Taylor

Billy Lee "Red" Taylor, age 87, of Highlands, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, due to natural causes.

Bill was born on December 27, 1938, in Kinston, North Carolina, to Belva Martin and Johnnie O. Taylor. He grew up on a farm in Kinston alongside his brother, J.B. Taylor, and his half-sister, Lucille Green. After losing his father at a very young age, Bill experienced a childhood shaped by resilience and perseverance. During World War II, while his mother worked driving trucks in Texas, Bill and his brother stayed in an orphanage during the week so she could support her family.

Bill later moved north and graduated from Central High School in Paterson, New Jersey, where he excelled in football and baseball. He was offered a tryout with the Brooklyn Dodgers and went on to play semi-professional football with the Haledon Hobarts. On April 9, 1961, he married the love of his life, Judith Ann Cortese, in Paterson, beginning a partnership of devotion and family that defined his life. While raising young children, Bill pursued further education, attending Fairleigh Dickinson University at night.

Bill proudly served his country, volunteering for six years in the U.S. Army Program. He served two years on active duty from December 1956 to December 1958, stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia; Inchon, Korea; and Fort Dix, New Jersey, where he served in infantry and military police roles. He later completed his inactive reserve service with the Air Force National Guard at the 119th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Atlantic City, New Jersey. During the Berlin Crisis, Bill was recalled to active duty by President John F. Kennedy and served an additional year as an Air Police officer before being honorably released in August 1962.

Professionally, Bill began his career as a draftsman and advanced to become a highly accomplished packaging engineer in the cosmetic industry. He spent many years at Avon and later L'Oréal/Cosmair, retiring after a distinguished career that included nearly 100 patents-an achievement that reflected his ingenuity and dedication.

Outside of work, Bill embraced life fully. He was an avid golfer and a passionate glider pilot for nearly 50 years, competing in soaring competitions across the country. Weekends were often spent flying out of Blairstown, New Jersey, with his children and grandchildren by his side. Summers were cherished at The Tyler Place in Vermont, water skiing and enjoying time together. A devoted grandfather, Bill rarely missed one of his grandchildren's sporting events and happily watched The Wizard of Oz countless times simply because they wanted to share it with him.

Bill was a humble, generous, and deeply family-oriented man. His proudest accomplishment was his family. He treasured weekly Tuesday night gatherings at his mother's apartment, where his children and grandchildren shared laughs and made memories-right down to the beloved ritual of walking down the hallway to the trash chute with his grandchildren happily in tow. He was also well known for one unforgettable insistence that there be absolutely no cheese in his food when dining out or in.

A longtime and active member of Central Baptist Church in Atlantic Highlands, Bill's faith and service to others were cornerstones of his life.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Belva and Johnnie O. Taylor; his brother, J.B. Taylor; and his sister, Lucille Green. He is survived by his beloved wife, Judith Ann Taylor; his children, John Taylor and his wife Kelly, Louann Cassano and her husband Mike, Cindy Pirrello and her husband Joe, Cathy Lenac and her husband Al, and Christopher Taylor and his wife Lisa; along with 15 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, with another great-grandchild expected.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's memory to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.

The family would like to extend a special and heartfelt thank you to Daniel Commodore, Bill's devoted 24-hour aide for the past nine months, for his gentle, loving, and compassionate care.

Bill's legacy lives on through the family he cherished, the lives he touched, and the love he so freely gave.