Taylor, Harold William

Harold William Taylor completed his earthly journey on Sunday, July 19, 2015. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira Taylor and Amy Mae Taylor; stepfather, J.W. Lightsey; sister, Jo Ann Yandell and son, Ira Scott Taylor.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Carol Frances Taylor; daughter, Laura Lee Taylor; son, Joel Austin Taylor and wife, Jennifer; son, Todd William Taylor and wife, Jennifer; his sisters, Peggy Beason, and Mary Spalinger and husband, Joe; brother, Don Taylor; and grandchildren, Seth and Hayley Hall and Joshua and Matthew Taylor.

Harold graduated from Ouachita Baptist University and later from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity. He was also awarded a Masters Degree of Greek and Hebrew Languages.

He served as pastor of Alleghany Baptist Church in Blacksburg, Va., for over 30 years, and after 60 years in the ministry, retired in 2008. Previously he pastored churches in Arkansas and Indiana. He served as chaplain for the Virginia Tech football team for 10 years.

He was a writer, a pastor-teacher, an avid reader and collector of books, who loved gardening, woodworking, civil war history, sports and poetry.

He was an exceptional husband, loving father and grandfather. He lived a life of faith, proclaiming the salvation that comes only through Jesus Christ. He was a “good and faithful servant” who will be dearly missed.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please donate to the church or charity of your choice.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2015, in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel with the Dr. Ron Rumburg officiating. Interment will be private. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. at the McCoy Funeral Home prior to the service.