C. Waitman Taylor

C. Waitman Taylor, 91, of Owensboro died Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, at 2 p.m. He was born on the family farm in Hancock County on Sept. 18, 1927, to C. Waitman Taylor Sr. and Adelaide Longest Taylor. Following his graduation from the University of Kentucky, he served in the United States Air Force and retired from the United States Air Force Reserve with the rank of captain. He retired from Owensboro Health Regional Hospital in 2013 at the age of 86. His career spanned 24 years with General Electric, 16 years with Texas Gas, eight years with Industry Inc. and 11 years with Owensboro Health.

Among his activities and recognition were mayor pro tem and mayor of Owensboro, executive secretary of the Owensboro-Daviess County Industrial Foundation and being named Owensboro's Outstanding Young Man in 1957. He served as secretary-treasurer of the Owensboro-Daviess County Hospital board of directors, the Community Chest Campaign general chairman, president of the Owensboro Country Club and president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. He was on the board and served as president of Junior Achievement. He sat on the board of trustees for the University of Louisville. He was a member of the board of directors of Brescia University, serving as president from 1983-1985. A member of Leadership Kentucky, he also served on the Owensboro-Daviess County Airport Board of Directors and the Murray State University Board of Regents. He was vice chairman of the Owensboro Museum of Fine Arts, the chairman of the United Way campaign and was co-founder and chairman of the Community Foundation of Owensboro-Daviess County.

With the help of four wonderful city commissioners, Mayor Pro-Tem George Greer, Jack Fisher, Russel Shifley and Alton Puckett, much was accomplished from 1972 through 1975. The establishment of the Owensboro Riverport Authority in 1973 has been a great benefit to Owensboro and the surrounding area. A member of First Presbyterian Church, he served as both Deacon and Elder and taught the fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade Sunday school classes for more than 25 years.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret Brannon Taylor; a son, Dr. Waitman Taylor; and a brother. William Longest Taylor.

Mr. Taylor is survived by his loving wife, Patricia W. Taylor; his children, Frank C. Taylor and his wife, Charlene, of Lexington, and Bill Taylor and his wife, Sandi, and Margaret T. Kramer and her husband, Dan, all of New York City; his sister, Sarah T. Hughes; his sister-in-law, Dr. Yvonne Taylor; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

The service for Mr. Taylor will be 11 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church. Private burial will be in the family cemetery on his farm in Hancock County. Visitation will be from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Brescia University, First Presbyterian Church or the Owensboro Health Foundation.

Memories and messages of condolence for the family of C. Waitman Taylor may be placed at www.glennfuneralhome.com