GREENVILLE — Wallace E. Taylor quietly passed away at his home in Merit in the evening of Oct. 20, 2012.  

He was born on a dairy farm in rural Collin County on April 28, 1932, the third son of Lloyd Clinton and Cassie McLeod Taylor. After graduation from Farmersville High School, Taylor served in the U.S. Army.        

On Aug. 16, 1952, Wallace Taylor married Joyce McCloud in Greenville. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in August with family and friends. To this marriage were born three children, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  Wallace considered three his lucky number.

Wallace and Joyce Taylor moved to Merit in the early 1960s. They were members of the Merit Baptist Church. Wallace served on the Bland ISD School Board, and at the time of his death was president of the Merit Cemetery Association. Wallace loved Merit, and enjoyed nothing more than visiting with friends and neighbors. It could be said that Wallace Taylor never met a stranger.

For years Wallace worked at E-Systems, retiring in 1990. He was a gifted mechanic who enjoyed tinkering in his shop. One of his great joys was his 1956 two-toned blue Chevrolet. He and Joyce were members of the Antique Car Club of Greenville. They toured the back roads of Northeast Texas in their old car and were regulars at every local Christmas parade.

Wallace Taylor never missed a Bland Tiger basketball game in over 40 years. He supported his two younger sisters-in-law and all three of his children. In fact, the children believe their dad actually relished the technical fouls he sometimes received.

His wife Joyce survives Wallace, as do his sons, Michael E. Taylor and wife Carol of Greenville, Chris Taylor of Merit, and daughter Cindy McCormack of Paris; grandsons Matthew Taylor of University Park, Brad McCormack of Powderly, and granddaughter Katie McCormack of Paris. The three great-grandchildren, Brayden McCormack, Blayne McCormack, and Baylee McCormack, live in Powderly. Sisters Betty Taylor of Dallas and Helen Dickey and husband Pack of Farmersville along with sisters-in-law Johnnie Greer of Farmersville and Nelda Gandy and husband James of Lubbock also survive.  Wallace was preceded in death by his parents and siblings L.C. Taylor Jr., James Taylor, and Leta Taylor Cowser.

Services will be held in the Coker-Mathews Funeral chapel at 10 a.m. Wednesday with Rev. Bob Layman, Rev. Eddie Singleton, and Rev. Johnny Henderson presiding. Burial will be in Wallace’s beloved Merit Cemetery following the service.

Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.    

Pallbearers are Gary Douglas, Jason Gandy, Dennis Greer, James Clyde Nesmith, Medford Sumrow and James (Bud) Weston. Honorary pallbearers are Clyde Dennis, Jesse Isham, Billy Johnson, Royce Glenn Sumrow, Jack Wiggington, and Valton Wineinger.  

Memorials may be made to the Merit Baptist Church or the Merit Cemetery Association.

The family wishes to thank Macey Martello and staff with Vitas Innovative Hospice Care for their care and support of Wallace.

Online condolences may be made at www.cokermathews.com and www.heraldbanner.com.