Ernest "Ernie" E. Taylor

Ernest Edward Taylor, known to all by Ernie, lost his battle with Alzheimer's disease at the age of 84 peacefully at home with family on April 1, 2021. Ernie was born in Newport News on Dec 24, 1936 & spent most of his life as a resident of the Peninsula. He was a 1955 graduate of Hampton High where he excelled in track & cross country. He then attended Wofford College. Ernie worked in the building supply industry for 53 years starting in 1958 with Moore’s & then joined Johnson & Wimsatt. When Wimsatt was purchased by Boise Cascade he was promoted to Branch Manager of Raleigh Operations. When the facility closed, he returned to Virginia & began working for Addington Beaman Lumber where he opened the Newport News location. After Addington was sold, he worked for Parkview Supply & then joined Custom Builder Supply where he retired in 2008. He continued his love of working & helping others by working part-time for his son Barry at Custom Vinyl Products until 2011. Ernie was a man of strong integrity & will most be remembered for his willingness to help all who knew him. His quick wit made us all laugh & his one-liners were always memorable. He was full of life & enjoyed dancing with his bride, having pig picking parties, cooking & sharing his recipes and working in the yard. He loved to admire the fountain in his backyard that he and his friends built, & he loved to show pictures of the fountain frozen over. Many pictures & memories were made both "in" and around the fountain. He was in a bridge group for many years as well as the golf league at Williamsburg National. In addition to his wife Carolyn of 60 years, he is survived by his children Barry (Lisa) Taylor and Cathy (Leo) King; Pa Pa to 4 adored grandchildren - Marcus & Kyle Taylor, Preston Gravitt and Tyler King; his brother Burrell Taylor (and the late Donna Taylor). He is preceded in death by his parents, Ophelia Harrell & James Burrell Taylor. Thank-you to all the staff at Saving Grace Home Care, Riverside Hospice, Dr. Fitzpatrick and friends and family for all your love, care and support. A service will be held at Nelsen Funeral Home on Friday, April 9 at 2:00pm & will be cast live online. Attendees Restricted due to COVID. Condolences can be shared at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com to help treasure the memories and stories of our dad.