Billy Howard Taylor

Billy Howard Taylor, of Ooltewah, died Sunday, January 8, 2023. He was 79 years old. In the words of C.S. Lewis, “Now at last [Billy is] beginning Chapter One of the Great Story no one on earth has ever read, which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.”

Billy was born November 17, 1943, in Vaiden, Mississippi. He began and ended his 35-year career as a field mechanic working on Caterpillar equipment. He was a hard worker, hardly ever missing a day of work. To him, his job was more than a job. It was a passion, and something he looked forward to doing. One of his career highlights was receiving the marine mechanic certification, one of which only a few people received at the time.

He loved his church family and faithfully attended Faith Baptist Church for many years. He loved to read the Bible, and had at one time, taught a Sunday School class for youth. He had a strong faith in God, which was tested multiple times throughout his adult life as he battled multiple physical challenges. He was able to endure over the years because he knew God was with him and would help him through hard times if God didn’t deliver him from them.

At a young age, Billy developed a fascination and love for racing which lasted his whole life. In his free time, he liked working on cars himself or loved to watch “old” NASCAR races, especially the ones that included Dale Earnhardt. He also liked to watch drag racing and would travel to different tracks for the races.

Billy is survived by his wife, Ruth Taylor of Ooltewah; his children: Mike (Lea) Kapherr of Harrison, and Raun (Megan) Taylor of Ooltewah; his brothers: Ralph (Martha) Taylor and Dwight (Jean) Taylor, both of Mississippi. He is also survived by several grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Billy was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Taylor and his mother, Nola Taylor, as well as his granddaughter Kelsey B. Kapherr.

Pallbearers are Khol Kapherr (grandson), Kyle Kapherr (grandson), Blake Taylor (grandson), Dalton Johnson (grandson), Raun Taylor (son), and Mike Kapherr (son).

Funeral services will be held at the North Chapel Chattanooga Funeral Home on Thursday January 12, 2023 at 2:00 PM, with Pastor Tracy Daniels officiating. Burial will immediately follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Wednesday January 11, 2023, at North Chapel.

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com for the Taylor family.