Obituaries
 By  Staff Reports Published 
2:11 pm Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Willard Austin Taylor

January 18, 2016

Willard Austin Taylor, age 91, Phil Campbell, passed away Monday, January 18, 2016, at his residence.
Mr. Taylor proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of Mt. Hebron Baptist Church. He was retired from Reynolds Aluminum after years of being a crane operator.
The visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Jan. 21 at Spry Memorial Chapel, with the funeral following at 2 p.m. in the chapel with military honors. Bro. Jerome Sherrill and Dr. Scott Delashaw will officiate the service. Burial will be at Mt. Home Cemetery in Belgreen.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 69 years, Mary Gladys Taylor; daughter, Esther Sue Taylor Gowder; son, Lester Hugh Taylor and wife, Kathy; grandchildren, Shena Haley, Jeanna Haley, Bradley Hugh Taylor, Holley Meranda Pate and husband, Scott; great-grandchildren, Ella Joy Pate, Micah Wesley Pate, Jonathan Taylor; sister, Ruth Durrett; brother, Alford Taylor and wife, Delores; sister-in-law, Marvalene Taylor; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, Larry Joe Taylor; daughter, Tommie Jean Taylor; son-in-law, Ted Gowder; parents, Eugene and Mattie Taylor; brothers, Elmer Taylor and wife Dorothy, Jim Taylor, Earl Taylor and wife Francis, Bob Taylor and wife Lorell and Archie Taylor; sister, Martha Butler Baird and husband John Butler; brother-in-law, Barney Durrett; and special friends, Paul Taylor, Aaron Durrett, Danny Pace and Claude Taylor.
The honorary pallbearers will be Sammy Taylor, Glenn Taylor, Alford Butler, Charles Wayne Taylor, Jimmy Taylor, Steve Taylor, Steve Pace, Jerry Pace, Barney Durrett, Jr., David Durrett and Gene Taylor.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Hospice of North Alabama, Kasie Brown, Kathy Dungess, Betty Robinette and Candace Twilley for the love and care of our family.

Also on Franklin County Times
First Metro Bank donates $250K to hospital
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 8, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Russellville Hospital has received a $250,000 donation from First Metro Bank through a state tax credit program. “All rural hospitals a...
PC grad had role in Artemis II launch
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
By Bernie Delinski and María Camp 
April 8, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — Noah Williams stood in a grassy field at Kennedy Space Center on April 1 about seven miles from the Artemis II launch pad. It was the ...
Locals react to US’s 10-day space flight
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 8, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Rocky Stone, former Russellville High School principal, called last week’s Artemis II launch a “milestone” in the United States’ space ...
Gray hired as UNA director of bands
News
Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
April 8, 2026
FLORENCE — Joseph Gray has been named the next director of bands for the University of North Alabama. He will also serve as an associate professor of ...
Protect local deposits which power growth
Columnists, Opinion
April 8, 2026
Most conversations about new digital payment tools often miss a crucial reality: When money exits community bank deposits, local lending is directly i...
Meeting highlights service, awards
Columnists, News, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
April 8, 2026
Members of the GFWC Book Lovers Study Club reported more than $2,700 was raised for community causes, and the chapter received multiple awards during ...
Waypoint Church hosts Easter egg hunt
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 8, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – Waypoint Church held an Easter event at Sloss Lake Friday afternoon. The free event included photos with the Easter bunny, music (inclu...
Band turns life’s stories into songs
Features, News
Chelsea Retherford For the FCT 
April 8, 2026
For the band OTIS, the road isn’t just for touring and performance. Between shows, in parking lots and back rooms, the band gathers stories from the p...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *