William Thomas Taylor

William Thomas Taylor, of Auburndale, Florida, passed away on August 28, 2026, at the age of 86. He was born on September 21, 1939, in Pike County, Alabama.

William was a Maintenance Mechanic and Engine Builder, and he carried that skill with pride. He was known as a family-oriented, loving, and caring man whose great sense of humor and constant laughter brought warmth to those around him. He was a great storyteller, the kind of man who could hold a room with a memory, a joke, or a tale well told. He also never turned down a drag race, and that spirited side of him was part of what made him so memorable to the people who loved him. Among the things he held most dear were his family and a hot rod or two.

For his family, William was a steady and cherished presence. Grandaddy’s home was always the foundation for family traditions, especially during the holidays, and those gatherings became lasting memories for the people who shared them with him. His life was rooted in love for his family, and that devotion remained one of the clearest expressions of who he was.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Carolyn Taylor. His memory will continue to be treasured by his sons, Gary Taylor, Don Taylor, and Ken Taylor, and by his daughters-in-law, Tina Taylor and CJ Taylor. Together, Carolyn and their family shared the closeness and traditions that meant so much to William, and that bond stands as part of his lasting legacy.

He was preceded in death by his father, George Taylor; his mother, Lorene Taylor; his son, Greg Taylor; his daughter-in-law, Lorri Taylor; and his sisters, Fannie Pearl Linton, Tiny Merritt, and Katherine Cook.

Visitation will be held on September 4, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Kersey Funeral Home, 108 Lake Stella Dr, Auburndale, Florida 33823. A funeral service will follow from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Kersey Funeral Home.

William Thomas Taylor will be remembered for his laughter, his stories, his love of family, and the welcoming home he created for those he loved. His presence will be deeply missed and fondly remembered always.