OBITUARY - Taylor

Mr. Ned Edward Taylor or “Uncle Ned” to all who loved him, our WWII hero and dear uncle went to heaven at age 86, on April 7, 2012. He died at his home as he wanted in Panama City, (Deer Point Lake).

He moved to Panama City about 1985 from Orange, FL, just below Bristol, FL. He owned a grocery store and gas station there for many years and really enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow fisherman and hunters.

Uncle Ned was born and raised in Blountstown, FL to Hugh and Laura Yon Taylor. He had three brothers and four sisters. All of Ned’s brothers and sisters are deceased along with his parents. His brothers were Thaddous Taylor, Raymond Taylor and Jerry Lee Taylor. His sisters were Ruth Taylor Writch, Doris Taylor Velkey, Nina B. Taylor (his twin sister) and Gladys Taylor Buttram. He survived by five nieces and three nephews. His nieces are Peggy Writch Basinger, who lived with Uncle Ned for the past 12 years and took care of him with so much love. Other nieces are Debra Taylor and Donna Taylor both of Tallahassee, FL, Ginger Hyland of Ft Walton Beach, FL and Portia Doran of Virginia Beach, VA.

Our hero served in WWII in the Army, fought in France and over into Germany. He lost his right leg at the Battle of the Bulge at age 19 on March 3, 1945. He spent the next year in the hospital in Atlanta recovering. He didn’t talk about the war for many many years and never thought of himself as a hero. He was awarded many medals, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Ribbon, ETO Ribbon, Combat Infantry, Four Battle Stars and the Bronze Star Medal. Ned was a good quiet, solitary and intelligent man.
Being disabled didn’t keep him from doing anything. He fished, hunted, built a house and went to the beach with his family. Because he was disabled, he had a big giving heart to others with disabilities and gave generously to them. He gave to the DAV and individuals.

Although he had no church background growing up, he knew what it meant to be a Christian because of his family and friends. He loved watching Billy Graham and never missed a crusade. He and his niece would watch reruns. He prayed the sinner’s prayer and accepted Jesus as his savior in 2010. He was 84 years old then, so that proves how great and merciful the Lord is to continue to draw people late in their life.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 11, at 11:00 am (CDT) at Highland Park Assembly of Church on East Ave in Panama City, FL with Reverend Jason Lowery officiating. Interment will follow at 2:00 pm (CDT) at Boggs Cemetery in Blountstown, FL with Military Honors. The family will receive friends Wednesday, April 11, 2012 from 10:00 am (CDT) until service time at 11:00 am at Highland Park Assembly of God Church. It would honor Ned if you gave to the local Wounded Warriors Project or the DAV.

Many thanks to an angel the Lord brought into our lives to help Peggy take care of Uncle Ned, Delois Fisher. We also thank Omni Nurses, Covenant Hospice personal, who cared for him with love and who gave great support to Peggy. Also thanks to Dr. Michael Gorniosky and his nurse, Holly and other personal at the Veterans Administration Clinic at Panama City Beach. Thanks to Dr. Angel Nunez and Dr. Tariq Mahmood.

All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown (ph. 674-2266).