Harold ‘Mike’ Taylor

Posted on August 29, 2024

(Sept. 24, 1953 – Aug. 16, 2024)

Harold “Mike” Taylor, 70, of Perry passed away peacefully on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024.

Mike was born Sept. 24, 1953, in Perry as the only son to Junior Taylor and Marie Green-York.

He was a graduate of Taylor County High School. Following graduation, he traveled to Vero Beach to work with his uncle, Virgil Taylor, who was a pipe-fitter and general contractor.

Mike held many jobs through the years as well as learning skills he used in daily life enabling him to help others.

He was always willing to give of his time and skills to those he counted as friends. He learned plumbing from his father, who was a master plumber. He learned to mechanic through the various types of employment he held.

He drove everything – from a battery delivery truck to a dump truck to a log truck.

Mike spent years installing septic tanks and then shifted to other things.

He was a self-taught welder and partial electrician.

He excelled at tree trimming and removal, but he was best known for his skill operating heavy equipment.

He had magic in his hands. He wasn’t limited in his operating ability; his abilities spanned from forklift to backhoe, to dragline. He did the job and did it while ensuring the safety of others. Many have said they wanted him as their operator.

Mike was a true outdoorsman who loved nature. He learned how to build boats from his dad. He loved all types of fishing, from lake to pond to the Gulf. He was at home on the water and spent many weekends camped on Grassy Island or just staying on his boat.

He crabbed, shrimped and mullet fished with his dad, but he loved deep sea fishing. Losing sight of the trees never bothered him, as he said he had a built-in compass.

As with fishing, he didn’t limit himself with hunting: he loved it all – from sitting in tree stands to dog hunting, he loved hunting for deer, hogs and ducks, but his favorite was turkey hunting.

He would have been happy on his own just living in the woods, close to the water.

Mike enjoyed campfires, cookouts, gardening and using his hands. Mike was an excellent woodworker, creating and building unique wood houses for various individuals, including a replica of the Jabo Fish Mouse for Ms. Shug.

He loved pickin’ and grinnin’. He spent many hours playing music with many talented individuals through the years.

However, his greatest pleasure and the thing that kept him going were the visits and time spent with his grandchildren, Trace and Holland Gunter. He counted the days to each visit and cherished every moment.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, Junior Taylor and Marie Green-York; his stepmother, Mary Nina Brim Taylor; a half-sister, Holly June (Huckleberry) Taylor; two half-brothers, Paul McKinley (Kenny) Sawyer and Richard (Ricky) Dale Sawyer; a stepbrother, Darrell Cooper; and a son-in-law, Steve Thompson.

He is survived by: two daughters, Angela “Michelle” Thompson and Chastity Hope Gunter (Thomas); five grandchildren, Devon Russell, Michael Lewis, Steven Thompson, Trace Gunter and Holland Gunter; a half-brother, George Taylor; a half-sister, Sherion Anita Dees (John) Hamilton; a stepsister, Frances Cooper Ruis; a special aunt, Linda Louise York; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He has gone fishing and hunting, living forever in our hearts, never forgotten.

Graveside services were held at San Pedro Cemetery in Perry, on Wednesday, Aug. 21, a 10 a.m. with Brother Steve Fox officiating.

William ‘Billy’ R. Welch

Mr. William “Billy” R. Welch went to be with his Lord and Savior on Aug. 22, 2024, at Shands Hospital in Gainesville.

He was born on Nov. 3, 1937, to James “Jimmy” and Ruth Welch in Micanopy.

As a young man he was raised on a ranch with his family and enjoyed calf roping, which he enjoyed in his adult life as well.

He was a graduate of Bell High School, where he was a proud member of the basketball team.

He would then go on to graduate from Forest Ranger School in Lake City, where he was part of the basketball and softball team.

Buckeye Cellulose of Perry hired him as a forester where he worked for nearly 35 years.

He also served in the U.S. Army for two years in the medical depot at Kaiserslautern, Germany.

He was very patriotic and loved serving his country.

Billy was an avid fisherman and hunter. He loved the outdoors.

He was a devote Christian man; loving and serving His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

He was instrumental in helping with Calvary Baptist Church’s new building, as well as helping with Bethel Baptist Church’s Fellowship building in Trenton.

He was a very sweet and kind gentleman who displayed true southern manners. He will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by: his parents, Jimmy and Ruth Welch; brothers, David Welch and W.W. “Wimpy” Welch; sisters-in-law, Vivian Welch and Janice Welch; and his son’s mother, Pat Parker.

He is survived by: his sons, Chris Welch and Scott (Dannielle) Welch of Perry; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and sister, Ruth Anne (Ben) Bennett of Trenton.

A graveside service for Billy will be held on Friday, Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. The family welcomes friends for a graveside visitation one hour prior, starting at 10 a.m.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Watson-Milton Funeral Home, Trenton. (www.WatsonMilton.com/352-463-8888)