William Clayton Taylor

February 11, 1931 - May 2, 2022

William Clayton Taylor, 91, was born February 11, 1931 and resided in Laurel, MS. He passed away on May 2, 2022. Visitation will be held from 5 until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at Memory Chapel Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Myrick Cemetery. Pastor Robby Johnson will officiate. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Melba Dean Sims Taylor. He is also survived by four children, Rayford (Sheila) Taylor, Clay (Susan) Taylor, and Jimmy (Melissa) Taylor all of Laurel and Linda (Robert) Dearman of Purvis, MS; fourteen grandchildren, Joey Taylor, Lauree Ward, Sara Hester, Carrie Shearer, Sonya Mott, Stormy Sherman, Ryan Taylor, Jessica Carney, Jeremy Dearmon, Allison Dearman, Derek Dearman, Devan Dearman, Laken Miller, and Chance Taylor; 32 great grandchildren; and four great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Mark and Lizzie Taylor; one daughter, Mary Lafaye Taylor; four brothers, Troy Taylor, Grady Taylor, Audrey Lee Taylor, and Cecil Taylor; and three sisters, Lucille Ekes, Thelma Iotsy and Addine Baty Holifield. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army. He started out Dixie Boy Syrup. His life trade was carpentry and his joys in life were spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved spending time outdoors, planting trees, beekeeping and taking care of his yard. Pallbearers will be Derek Dearman, Devan Dearman, Chance Taylor, Bryce Ward, Carson Ward, and Braxton Shearer. Honorary pallbearers will be Joey Taylor, Hunter Holifield, Jared Miller, and Dalton Lewis. To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.