Billy Joel Taylor

Billy Joel Taylor, 88, died peacefully at AdventHealth Redmond Hospital in Rome on October 27, 2024. Born September 10, 1936, he was the son of the Rev. Bunyan and Elnora Taylor. Billy was the 1954 Valedictorian of Jefferson High School. He earned a Textile Engineering Degree from Georgia Tech, did graduate work at the University of Georgia, and earned his M.Ed. from Western Carolina University. For the major part of his professional career, he taught Mathematics at Gainesville Junior College, serving as head of the Mathematics Department for many years. Billy loved teaching and his students. He often said he looked forward to getting up and going to work. During his educational career, he received many accolades and awards.

Billy was a veteran of the Army National Guard, a member of the First Baptist Church of Cornelia, a former member of the Winder Kiwanis Club, and served as a golf coach at Gainesville Junior College (later Gainesville State College). He was Professor Emeritus from Gainesville State College. However, since Gainesville State College and North Georgia College and State University merged to form the University of North Georgia, he was Professor Emeritus from the University of North Georgia.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Charles Taylor, and his son-in-law David Cloud. He is survived by his wife Judy Ledbetter Taylor; his daughter, Heather Taylor Cloud; grandchildren: Lexi Cloud of Acworth, Austin Cloud of Montana, and Aiden Cloud of Rome; a sister, Eleanor Taylor Wilson; a sister-in-law Edith Hogan Taylor; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2PM Thursday, October 31, 2024 in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home, Winder, GA with The Rev. Dr. John Talley Officiating. Interment will follow in Barrow Memorial Gardens. A reception will be held at Smith Funeral Home after services.