John B. Taylor Sr.

February 18, 1933 - January 3, 2020

PRINCETON – John Benjamin Taylor, Sr., 86, of Princeton, died Friday, January 3, 2020. Born February 18, 1933 in Princeton, he was the son of the late Grat Crockett Taylor, Sr. and Mary Grace “Mollie” Shuck Taylor. Mr. Taylor was a veteran of the U.S. Navy having served in the Korean Conflict from 1951-1954. John owned and operated Taylor’s Ashland Truck Stop on the Oakvale Road in Princeton and later Taylor’s Truck Stop on Hilltop Lane in Princeton. He owned Taylor’s Garage until he retired to be a farmer and gardener. He also owned the Walnut Room Restaurant, Red Carriage Supper Club and built five homes as a building contractor. John was a member of First Baptist Church in Princeton. He was an avid WVU fan and loved his country. He loved giving to others, which brought him much joy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother, Grat Crockett Taylor, Jr.; and sisters, Myrtle Violet Taylor, Alma Ray, Lorraine Snider and Ada Marie Spangler. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Virginia (Jenny) Taylor; sons, John B. Taylor, Jr. and wife Sharon of Princeton and Michael Taylor and wife Judy of Princeton; grandson, J.B. Taylor, III and wife Diane of Princeton; and Jamie Stanley whom he thought of as a son. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at the First Baptist Church in Princeton with Rev. David Adams officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton with Rev. Steve Roberts officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard. Serving as pallbearers will be Steve Fields, Jeff Harshbarger; Howard Davidson, Jamie Stanley, Ed Adams, Darrell Lilly, Mike Tabor and Arlie Jenkins. Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Snider and Larry Spangler. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, Moving Forward Fund, 1116 Mercer St., Princeton, WV 24740. The family will receive friends Tuesday, January 7, 2020 from noon until service hour at the First Baptist Church in Princeton. Arrangements by Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. To view a video tribute to Mr. Taylor, or share condolences with the family, please visit www.bailey-kirk.com.