William Taylor

Waynesville-William Randolph "Randy" Taylor, age 55, of Little Mountain Road, passed away on Saturday, December 4, 2004, at his home, after an extended illness. A native of Taylors, South Carolina, he was the son of J. Euel Taylor of Waynesville, and the late Blanche Langley Taylor. He was also preceded in death by a niece, Susan Taylor, and his step-mother, Frances Williams Taylor. Randy was a 1967 graduate of Tuscola High School, and was a graduate of Clemson University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in recreation and parks managements in 1971. He played football at Clemson and was an avid golfer before he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1981. After his diagnosis, Randy advocated for additional funding and advances in medical treatment for individuals with MS, sponsoring many fund-raising events. In 1986, he received the MS Achievement Award of the Greater Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He was also the Multiple Sclerosis Father of the Year in 1997. In addition, he authored a book "Inspirational Persuasion" in 1993. Randy was a partner in Taylor Motor Company and worked in the family business for many years. He enjoyed sports and music, and was a member of the Waynesville Rotary Club, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. Additionally, he was a member of First Baptist Church of Waynesville. In addition to his father, he is survived by two sons, Will Taylor and his wife, Kristi, of Waynesville and Scott Taylor of Boston, Massachusetts; a brother, Joe Taylor and his wife, Carolyn, of Waynesville; a granddaughter, Chloe Taylor of Waynesville; and a nephew, Joel Taylor and his wife, Allison, of Waynesville. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Tuesday, December 7, 2004 at First Baptist Church of Waynesville with Reverend Dr. Robert Prince and Reverend Dr. Jack C. Bishop, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. Monday, December 6, 2004 at Wells Funeral Homes and Cremation Services of Waynesville, where the body will remain until placed in the church one hour prior to the service. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Waynesville Rotary Club. Memorials may be made to the Waynesville Rotary Club, P.O. Box 812, Waynesville, NC 28786 or the Montel Williams MS Foundation, 331 West 57th Street, PMB 420, New York, NC 10019.

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