Donald E. Taylor

Donald E. Taylor, 84, of Washington, passed away peacefully, Saturday, January 4, 2025, with his wife and daughters by his side holding his hands. He was born the tenth child of eleven children to John H. Sr. and Nyla F. Paul Taylor on December 9, 1940. Don was Methodist by faith, while not an avid church goer, he did listen to Sunday services on the radio. He met the love of his life Shelby Jean Casterline while they both worked at the Washington Laundry. They were married on March 12, 1960, in Covington, Kentucky. They enjoyed 64 wonderful years together and raised four daughters Denise, Dawn, Cathy, and Rebecca. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are three daughters, Dawn Taylor and Cathy Taylor, both of Washington, Pennsylvania, and Rebecca (Jody) Sutton of Goose Creek, South Carolina; two grandchildren, Brandon (Kariann) Taylor of Morgantown, West Virginia, and Amanda (Jeff) Puckey of Scenery Hill, Pennsylvania; three great-grandsons, Warrick Gross of San Antonio, Texas, Landon Puckey of Scenery Hill, Pennsylvania, and Archer Taylor of Morgantown, West Virginia; and a son-in-law, Kevin Pattison of Quinlan, Texas. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his eldest daughter, Denise Taylor Pattison, who passed away unexpectedly on July 23, 2024; and siblings Raymond, John (Sonny), Leroy, Paul, William, who died in infancy, Elsie Hale, Betty Clark, Delores Rice, Joanne Ayers and Rebecca, who died as a young child. Don was a truck driver by trade after leaving the Washington Laundry. He retired from Waste Management (formerly known as Wm H Martin/Chambers Development) as their OTR driver. He once had an article appear in the Observer-Reporter about how, using his truck, he saved the lives of a young mother and her children when he saw their car go over a steep embankment during a heavy fog. Don especially enjoyed driving truck when accompanied by his wife and his grandson. A jack of all trades who could fix anything or knew someone who could. He taught his daughters to hunt and fish, drive a car, change a tire and self-defense along with many other things that made them all very strong independent women. "A father’s love is like a mountain, strong, and steadfast” Now silent are his stories of growing up on a farm, meeting his wife, raising his daughters, driving truck and hearing the joy he had for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His larger-than-life personality and love for his family will live on forever. Arrangements are private and entrusted to William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington.