Earl L. Taylor

Earl L.Taylor, 85, of Morgantown, WV passed away in the presence of family on 20 January 2017 in Sarasota, FL. Earl (known to his multitude of friends simply as “Taylor”) was born on January 3, 1932 in Waynesburg to the late William W. and Tess Taylor, and is preceded in death by twin brothers, Floyd and Lloyd. He graduated from Waynesburg High School in 1950, where he excelled at baseball and wrestling. In 1952 he was drafted into the Army and served as a military policeman until 1954. Taylor graduated from Waynesburg College in 1962.

He married Shirley Mae Plues of Carmichaels, PA. on September 3, 1952, who passed away on December 26, 2010. Taylor worked for Gates, McDonald & Company as a highly successful account representative and salesman until his retirement in 1994, and continued consulting until final retirement in 1996. His work took Taylor and family to Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio, and finally to McMurray, Pa.

Taylor was a world-class small- and big-bore rifle shooter, setting his first world record at the age of fifteen, and was a member of the All-Army Rifle Team. He competed at and earned individual and team honors at every level, including local leagues, state, national and world championships. His love of game and upland bird hunting led to excursions throughout the local area, American West, and Canada.

On 10 November, 2011 Taylor became part of another wonderful family when he married JoAnn McNeely (nee` Morris). He spent his last years enjoying his family, traveling and wringing the most anyone could out of life.

Taylor is survived by his wife JoAnn, sister Carolyn Varner (Thomas) of Hixon, TN., Son & Daughter-in-law, Lt Col (ret), USAF, William Curtis (Curt) & Lt Col (ret), USAF, Teresa , currently residing in Germany; two grandsons, Matthew Taylor of Boston, Ma. and Evan Taylor, of New York, NY; a step Daughter, Patsy George of Wheeling, WV; two stepsons, James F. McNeely of Waynesburg, PA and William R. McNeely (Lori ) of Mt. Prospect, IL; ten step grandchildren and twelve step great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Earl was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Elks, Loyal Order of the Moose, Greene County Country Club and the Dormont-Mt Lebanon Sportsmen’s Club of McMurray.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday February 20, 2017 in Behm Funeral Homes Inc., 182 W. High St., Waynesburg, with Rev. Joe Weaver officiating. Friends will be received from 10 a.m. until the hour of services. Interment with military honors will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, February 21, 2017 in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville, PA 15017. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Whiteley Creek Community Church, PO Box 808, Waynesburg, PA 15370.