Billie Frank Taylor

1929 - 2020

Billie Frank Taylor was a loving and caring husband and father, a religious scholar, teacher, eternal optimist, and once his first book is published in spring of 2021, an author. He left this world suddenly and peacefully on Dec. 23, 2020, at 91 years of age, leaving a large hole in the fabric of the Taylor family.

Billie was born November 10, 1929, in his beloved Houston, to Lemuel Wright and Elsie Belle Taylor. The many vivid stories of his childhood in the Heights conjure up images of the adventurous "Little Rascals," and the downhome sense of community and belonging of the "Waltons." He met the love of his life, Violet, at a middle-school party and they remained a deeply committed unity until her passing in June 2020.

He studied Religion and Philosophy at Texas Christian University and worked for many years for Canada Dry and Clark-Ehre Produce. Billie and Violet were long-time residents of Kingwood, Texas, where they lived for over 48 years. They were faithful members of Kingwood United Methodist Church, where Billie served on the building committee, which was responsible for many of the main buildings of the church complex, and where he taught an adult Sunday School class for many years. Billie loved music and if he wasn't singing, he was whistling with the sweetest and clearest of tones.

After retirement, Violet and Billie often traveled to Europe and became very active members of the PFLAG community, where he served as president of the Houston chapter.

He is survived by his loving sons, Gary, Mark, and James (Jimmy); his daughter-in-law, Marilynn; son-in-law, Thomas Cooley; granddaughters, Lacie, Lanie and Bonnie; and his three wonderful great-grandchildren, Edie, Simon, and Truman. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Bettye Taylor and many nephews, nieces, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his cherished wife of 70 years, Violet; his parents and brother, Lemuel; his stepfather George Dillon, as well as his dear daughter-in-law, Donna.

Billie was a strong, passionate, yet sensitive man, who loved to cry "happy tears." Love was the predominant theme of his life and teaching.

A celebration of Billie and Violet's lives will be announced at a later date, once it is safe to gather everyone together.