Billy Taylor

Asheville - Billy Taylor, 77, of 17 Park Lane died Monday, January 23, 2006. Taylor was the youngest of ten children born to W.H. and Birdie Carrol Taylor. He grew up in the South French Broad and Montford areas of Asheville becoming a carrier for the Asheville Citizen as a boy. One of his fond memories was selling newspapers on the corner of Patton and Coxe as the city celebrated VJ Day. He joined the Navy after graduating from Lee Edwards and served aboard the USS Pawcatuck. As a young man he loved baseball, Gershwin and people. Although he sold plumbing and heating materials for the Hajoca Corporation for more than 40 years, his life is better defined by his volunteer activities. In the 60s he served in the West Asheville Kiwanis Club, serving one term as president. In the 70s and 80s he worked in Scouting, on both the council and troop levels. In addition to serving a term as Scoutmaster of Troop 3, he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for Adult Leadership and Vigil Honor, the highest honor in Scoutings Order of the Arrow. As his passion turned to gardening in the 90s he volunteered in the North Carolina Agricultural Extension Offices Master Gardener program. Twice he reached his goal of growing and giving 2000 pounds of fresh vegetables to Manna Food Bank. He volunteered over 500 hours of service to the NC Cooperative Extension Service. Taylor was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He was also a member of Mary Manns Sunday School Class. He is survived by his sister, Janie Mann of Pisgah Forest; daughter, Vicki Ponce of Charlotte and her husband, 3 daughters and granddaughter; son Bill Taylor of Asheville and his wife, son and daughter; daughter, Susie Colston of Roanoke, VA. and her husband, daughter and three sons; and dozens of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home with the Revs. Rodney Hagan and Bill Clodfelter officiating. Burial will be in Pisgah Gardens in Brevard. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. Floral tributes are appreciated and accepted or memorials may be made to: Manna Food Bank, 627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, NC 28805