William Kennedy Taylor Jr.

William Kennedy Taylor, Jr.

Kinston

William Kennedy Taylor, Jr. age 93 of 1207 Anne Drive died Friday in Lenoir Memorial Hospital. He was the son of W.K. Taylor, Sr. and Thelma Barden Taylor of Kinston. "Bill" was predeceased by his younger brother John R. Taylor and his beloved son James Warren Taylor. Bill is survived by the love of his life, Rachel Edwards Taylor, their son William Kennedy Taylor III and wife Margaret of Lake Murray, SC; his three adoring grandchildren, Ashley Taylor Wall and husband Ben of Wilmington, William Kennedy Taylor IV and wife Lee of Morehead City and James Warren Taylor, Jr. of St. Augustine, FL. Bill is also survived by the joys of his life – four great-grandchildren: George Hampton Wall II and Henry Taylor Wall of Wilmington and William Nash Taylor and Arabella Kennedy Taylor of Morehead City. Also surviving, a special sister-in-law, Annie Edwards Sutton and husband Mickey of Smithfield, their daughters Julie Sutton Claywell and Laura Sutton Hurt and their families. Also, Bill's niece, Margaret Ann Creech and husband Warren of Kinston. Bill also leaves behind three former, loving daughters-in-law: Teena Lutz Taylor of Wilmington, Deecie Hinds Ahler of Winterville, and Lourdes Berg of St. Augustine. Bill attended Grainger High School where he played football with the "boys" who would continue to be his lifelong friends. As WW II began, Bill proudly joined the US Army and served in Salerno, Italy. While storming the coastline there, Bill was wounded in action and captured as a POW. For his valor and courage, Bill was awarded the Purple Heart. After months of recovery, Bill returned home where he worked with Kinston Wholesale Grocery. Bill and Rachel enjoyed many wonderful friends, family and happy times. On weekends they would pack up and head towards Trent Pines or Atlantic Beach for boating, fishing and skiing. Throughout his life, Bill was a devoted son, brother, husband, loving father, doting grandfather and great-grandfather. Bill was a genuinely kind and generous man who truly treasured all his many friends and their families. No doubt, as Bill has taken his place in Heaven, he will revel in being reunited with so many dear friends and family members. We thank Bill for sharing a special gift with us – his uncompromising devotion and his truly Christ-like, unconditional love for everyone. A very special thanks to caregivers Polly Jones, Shaon Myers, Amy Martin and Viola Pate. Also deepest gratitude to Porn Parker and John Jones who have made Bill and Rachel's lives easier throughout the years. The service will be at 11:00 am on Monday, September 15 at Edwards Funeral Home with Pastor Allen Bingham officiting. Burial will follow at Westview Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the gravesite following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Bill's honor to Queen Street Methodist Church, P.O. Box 508 Kinston, N.C. 28502-0508, where Bill and Rachel have been long-time members.