Windall Ray Taylor

Windall Ray Taylor

June 7, 1937 - August 27, 2025

Windall Ray Taylor, a Lubbock native and lifelong Texan of 88 years, passed from this life on Wednesday surrounded by family and friends. His playful spirit, jokes and laughter were with him till the end. Born in 1937 in Smyer, TX to WD and Jewel Taylor, he grew up on a patch of West Texas dirt, farming and learning life with a large extended family. Though he was an only child, he never lacked for companions with over 50 first cousins, many staying in his life until this day. As an older grandson, Windall was a natural leader and learned business and trades from his family. He was a successful entrepreneur and salesman at his core, starting many businesses and enlisting in the military more than once.

Windall and his wife, Lynda, were married in 1974. Each brought a daughter into the marriage and added to their family with two more daughters. They were very proud of their large family of four daughters, 13 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren and loved sitting down to a meal with them at every opportunity. Celebrating 51 years of marriage this year, they have always pushed their family to follow God, and carried out their values in philanthropy, hospitality, and generosity as a hallmark of their life together. Windall would give you the shirt off his back, listen to your problems, and try to solve them for you, whether you wanted him to or not. He never met a stranger and had a corny joke for every occasion.

Windall returned to his military career as a recruiter. He was a respected leader, working with his team to achieve many awards and accolades. After retiring from the Texas Army National Guard in 1997, Windall and Lynda built their own successful business, Taylor Properties, which they ran with their business partner and cousin, Blake Mimms. Windall's goal was to be a "golden rule" kind of business - to treat everyone they did business with as they would like to be treated. They were first and foremost Christians, and strove to reflect that in all aspects of their work.

Windall was a long standing member of Broadway Church of Christ. He was active for many years as a member and president of South Plains Lions Club, member and president of The Boys and Girls Club board. His weekly Whataburger Breakfast Club with friends was one of his favorite meetings.

Windall is preceded in death by his father and mother, WD and Jewel Taylor, son-in-law Marcus Gisonno, and the cousins, extended family and friends who are rejoicing that he's joining them in heaven.

He is survived by his loving wife, Lynda, and their four daughters and their families: daughter Teresa and her husband Mark Breaux, grandchildren Kristin Davis and Robert Breaux, and great-grandchildren Keagan, Bo and Kyler Davis; daughter Celeste Gisonno, grandchildren Natalie Dodson, Bella Gisonno, Batai and his wife Rayanne Gisonno, Jocelyn Gisonno, and great-grandchildren Dixie and Ke'lyn Martindale; daughter Margaret King and grandchildren James, Alexander, Evelyn, Calvin, Madeleine and Eliza King; and daughter Wendy Taylor and grandson Micah Taylor.

Windall was loved deeply, and will be missed by many. The family is humbled by the support and love of all those whose lives he touched. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to The Children's Home of Lubbock or South Plains Lion's Club.

Memorial service to be held at Broadway Church of Christ, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025 at 2pm. A memory board will be provided to add pictures or written memories anyone would like to share.