Billy Jennings Taylor, Sr., 88, of Columbia, died Tuesday, May 28, 2013. Born in Columbia on December 27, 1924, he was a son of the late Lester James and Lula Furqueron Taylor. Private First Class Taylor served in the US Army, 79th Infantry Division, during World War II with distinction, earning the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, the EAMT Campaign Medal with one Silver Star, the WWII Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal with German Clasp and the French Fourragere. Following his service to his country, Billy became an locomotive engineer with Southern Railroad, retiring after 40 years. He was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his son, Billy J. Taylor, Jr. and wife, Fran, of Columbia; granddaughters, Lindsay Taylor Sexton and husband, Galen, of Aiken and Morgan Taylor Galante and husband, Patrick, of Elgin; and one great grandson, Robert Jennings Sexton. In addition to his parents, Billy was preceded in death by his son, Michael Morgan Taylor; brother, Landrum James Taylor; sisters, Catherine "Kitty" Walker, Martha May Taylor, Frances "Dot" Taylor, Lester "Pet" Worth, Lula Virginia Lingle, Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Hutchinson and Jeanne Iler McCoy.

The funeral for Mr. Taylor will be held 1 o'clock, Friday, May 31st, at the graveside of Elmwood Cemetery, 501 Elmwood Ave, with The Rev. Tiffany D. Knowlin officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o'clock, Thursday evening, at Shives Funeral Home, 5202 Colonial Dr, Columbia. Memorials may be made to College Place United Methodist Church, 4801 Colonial Dr, Columbia, SC 29203, or to Palmetto Health Hospice, c/o the Palmetto Health Foundation, PO Box 602575, Charlotte, NC 28260-2575.