William Donald "Don" Taylor's Obituary
William Donald Taylor aka Don Taylor, 72, of Clearwater, FL, passed away on September 23, 2019. Don was born on February 24, 1947 to Bill and Virginia Taylor. He was a graduate of Jesuit High School in Tampa where he excelled in several sports: Basketball, Baseball, and Football. He was inducted into the Jesuit Hall of Fame for the class of 1966. He was All City and All State in Football where he played Defensive Tackle. He was a pitcher on the 1966 Jesuit Baseball team that won City Champs.
After graduating, Don became the Superintendent of Pinellas Juvenile Detention Center and later Pasco Juvenile Detention Center. Don was amazing with the children at the center and he had a special gift of working with the challenged children. He connected with them on a personal level and provided mentorship as they looked up to him. He built relationships with the children and prided himself in his abilities to provide opportunities they may not otherwise have been afforded.
Don was a die-hard sport fan and his teams included the Alabama Crimson Tide and Tampa Bay Rays. He loved watching sports and attending sporting events with his family and especially Rays games with his granddaughter Brianna. Don was an avid fisherman and would rather be on the water than any other place in the world. He loved to take the boat on the water and show his fishing spots to his friends and family. He loved trout fishing in Homosassa with his buddies.
Don was the consummate “family man” and he would give you “the shirt off his back”. Anyone who knew him knew how selfless he was. He always put others first.
He is survived and will be greatly missed by his wife of 47 years Kathy Taylor; children Kristina Woods (Chris), Donny Taylor (Jamie); granddaughter Brianna Webber, and pups Bailey and Candy. His sisters Donna Cummings (Jeff), Patty Martin (Rodney), cousins Danielle (Mark and Grace), Donna Jean (Greg, Lexi, Jett, and Brock) and Tiffany (Roman). Preceded in death by his sister Virginia Lee and parents Bill and Virginia.
A celebration of life is planned for Saturday September 28, 2019 from 11 to 1 PM EST at Moss Feaster Funeral Home at 1320 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Don Taylor please visit our Sympathy Store. Don also supported the Southeast Guide Dogs and donations can be sent in lieu of flowers in Don’s name.
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