Edward Wyllys Taylor, 90 Lakeland – Edward Wyllys Taylor, age 90, passed peacefully and went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, February 10, 2018, in Lakeland. Born in Richmond, VA on March 1, 1927, the 3rd son of Herbert Tyler Taylor and Minnie Black Hyde Taylor, both of Charleston, SC. Wyllys was raised in Richmond, a few blocks from his church, Ginter Presbyterian Church on the campus of Union Theological Seminary. His development was greatly influenced by faculty and students of the Seminary. Wyllys graduated Thomas Jefferson HS in 1944, while his two older brothers were involved in WWII. He attended the University of Richmond, where he played basketball and football until called up to service on his birthday, March 1, 1945. Upon his return from the Navy, he entered Hampden-Sydney College, where he played basketball and golf and graduated in 1949. While at Hampden-Sydney, he met his future bride, Ruthellen Mears, who was attending nearby Farmville State Teachers College (Longwood University). The couple married in March 1950. Wyllys began working at Virginia-Carolina Chemical Company, which transferred him to the Lakeland area in 1955. He designed, constructed and operated chemical plants during the first half of his career. Later, he enjoyed interests in citrus, real estate development and construction, environmental, and bottled water businesses. He always thrived on exploring new ideas and business opportunities. In his final years, Wyllys gave all of himself to providing loving care to his life-long sweetheart and wife of 68 years. He was an avid golfer most of his life and an enthusiast for the remainder. Wyllys was a faithful servant of the Lord and an active member of First Presbyterian Church since the 1950s. He witnessed his faith in his Lord and passion for his church by leading many Bible studies, Sunday school classes, and helping oversee the construction of First Presbyterian Church at its present location on Lake Hollingsworth. He was preceded by his parents and his brother, Herbert Tyler Taylor, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Ruthellen; older brother, Dr. Frank E. Taylor, of Charlottesville, VA.; his son Ned and wife, Elena, of Boone, NC, and their two children, Tripp and Anne; his daughter Ellen Verdone and husband, Rick, of Charlotte, NC, and their three children, Elizabeth, Rook and William; and his son Bill and wife, Chrissy, of Lakeland and their three children, Sydney, Gillian and Faith. Funeral services will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Friday, February 16, 2018 at 1:00 pm. The family requests memorial donations to First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland in lieu of flowers.
Friday, February 16, 2018
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First Presbyterian Church
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