Willie "Bert" Albert Taylor

Bert was born in Sumter on June 17, 1949. Bert was the second of five children and the only son of Kerney Wilbur Taylor and Elizabeth Howle Taylor. Bert is survived by his four sisters, Elaine Curtiss of Ocean Shores, Washington, Karen Jenny (Jay) of Columbia, South Carolina, Nancy Bradley (Ren) of Columbia, and Ellen Long (Mike) of Richmond, Virginia. He is also survived by his loving nieces and nephews, Matthew (Peggy) Jenny, Leighton Jenny (Katie), Christine (Dirk) Visser, Andy Curtiss, Ali Bradley, Holly Long, Ray Long, and countless musical brothers and sisters.

Bert was an alumnus of Edmunds High School class of 1967 and graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from the College of Charleston in 1976. Bert’s true passion was his music and he pursued that passion throughout his life. Known to many as “Master of the keys,” Bert shredded on three keyboards simultaneously and could pick up any song in less than 10 minutes. Bert played with many local bands including ‘Footnotes,” ‘Untouchables,’ ‘Weekend,’ ‘Roadwork,’ ‘Jackstones,’ ‘The Georgia Profits’ and countless others. He was a founding member of ‘The Footnotes,’ a Sumter Beach Music & Variety band, and was inducted into the South Carolina R&B/Beach Music Hall of Fame on October 27, 2001. Bert’s love of music and compassion for others set him apart in the industry as a musician, mentor and friend.

Bert was a mentor to many aspiring young musicians and shared his passion about blues, music and life with everyone he met. In February 2016, Bert was an honored guest at his niece’s wedding in San Pedro, Belize, and lovingly stepped in to give away the bride on behalf of her family. A lock of Bert’s hair will be scattered in Belize in his memory at a future date.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Monday, August 2, 2021, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Divine Street Chapel, following a private family burial.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bert’s honor to the SPCA Humane Organization of Sumter (www.sumterscspca.com) or to the animal shelter of your choice. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dunbarfuneralhomedevine.com for the Taylor family.