By Staff
Mr. George William “Buster” Taylor, Jr., passed away at Pitt County Memorial Hospital on Sunday, July 6th, 2008 after a period of declining health.
He was the son of the late Elizabeth Oden Taylor and George William Taylor, Sr. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ellen Brogden Gravely Taylor and his three children, Leigh Taylor Stanley and her husband, Spencer of Weaverville, N.C. and Washington, N.C., G. William Taylor, III and his wife, Susie of Washington, N.C., and Virginia Taylor Pfeiffer and her husband, Robert of Elizabeth City, NC. His grandchildren are Ellen Taylor Stanley of Washington, DC, Gregg Stanley of Weaverville, NC, Will and Suzanne Taylor of Washington, NC, and Leigh Ann and Ali Pfeiffer of Elizabeth City, NC. Also surviving is his brother John Taylor and wife, Jan of Hampstead, NC, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
George was born on February 12, 1929 in Washington, NC. He was given the nickname “Buster” because he resembled “Buster Brown” of children’s shoe fame. He attended the local schools, playing basketball and football at Washington High School and serving as senior class president. After graduation, Buster went to UNC-Chapel Hill, where he became a die-hard Tar Heel fan. During these years, he was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes, a condition which at the time was deemed untreatable and terminal. Buster survived this disease for 61 years.
On August 8, 1953, Buster married the love of his life, Dottie Gravely. He supported his wife and soon-to-be family by working at Edinburgh Furniture Company/Johnson Carper/Singer Furniture Company for 37 years as office manager and purchasing agent. When he retired, three full time people replaced him. He then spent 13 years as the manager of the Beaufort County ABC Stores. He expected excellence from himself and his co-workers and had an unfailing work ethic and compassionate outlook.
Buster loved Washington and Beaufort County, and gave much time to the JayCees and Chamber of Commerce as a young man. He was an associate member of the Herring Club, and past president and member of the Down East Seniors Club. He was a charter member of the Monday Night Poker Club for over 40 years. He was active in the First United Methodist Church and served as secretary of the Administrative Board and church Council for 43 years.
Buster was a true Southern gentleman, loyal to his country, proud of his heritage, and excited about the promise of the future. He loved his family and friends, his church and God, the Bayview waters of the Pamlico, a good Carolina ballgame, and all of the things that make life good. We will all miss him.
Hillside Funeral Service in Washington is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, July 8th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Hillside Funeral Service, 4500 Hwy 264 East in Washington.
Services will be on Wednesday, July 9th at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church on West 2nd Street with the Rev. Danny Allen officiating. Pallbearers are George William Taylor, IV, Spencer Gregg Stanley, IV, Dr. Fred Howdy, Mac Jones, Frank Johnston, L.T. Harris, Danny McNeill, Tommy Sparrow, Ryland Tankard, Shields Harvey, and Joe Tunstall, Sr.
Flowers are appreciated and memorial gifts may be given to the Caring Christian Carpenters, First United Methodist Church, 304 West 2nd Street, Washington, NC 27889.
You may share a memory with the family by visiting www.hillsidefuneralservice.com
Hillside Funeral Service of Washington is serving the Taylor family.
Paid Obituary