Willie Robert Taylor

Of Reston Virginia, died on Sunday, December 15th at 4:54 PM.

He was born in Savannah, Tennessee on September 4, 1950 to Willie Frank Taylor and Dorothy Taylor. He married the love of his `life and best friend June Odell Lewis on August 19, 1972. She proceeded him in death. Surviving is their only son William Charles Taylor. He lives behind a niece Tracee Lewis, a nephew, Terrance Lewis, and a sister-in-law, Nancy Meyerson-Lewis of Chicago, Il. He leaves many cousins and friends. Willie’s parents proceeded him in death. Willie was a long-time resident of Reston where he lived since 1978. He graduated from Bradley University where he joined the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and earned a B.S. in Business. He earned a M.A. and a Ph.D. in Economics from the State University of New York at Stoney Brook. He was an Assistant Professor of Economics at Howard Univeersity, a Brookings Instution Economic Policy Fellow, and a member of the Department of the Interior (DOI) for 36 years. At the DOI, he served as a staff economist, in the Office of Policy Analysis, Deputy and then Director of the Office of

Environmental Policy and Compliance. He was a member of the Government’s Senior Executive Service, and received four Presidential Commendations for management excellence.

A small burial with friends and loved ones in the area was from 1:30pm to 2:00pm on Friday, December 20th at Chestnut Grove Cemetery in Herndon, VA. A Mass and celebration will follow in the Spring at Saint John Neumann Catholic Church, 11900 Lawyers Rd, Reston, VA 20191 with more information to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/ or Oldies But Goodies Cocker Spaniel Resccue. https://cockerspanielrescue.com/ The online guestbook is available at www.moneyandking.com

Invictus by William Henley

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find, me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.