Willis Taylor, Jr., Bluffon College graduate from Youngstown, Ohio, died on March 27, 2014.

He was born to Rev. Willis Taylor, Sr. and Lucille Morris Taylor, on Sept. 14, 1945, in Mayersville, Miss. When he was seven years old, his family moved to Youngstown.

Willis graduated from South High School in 1954. He graduated in 1958 from Bluffton College, now Bluffton University. While at B.C. he played football, basketball, and ran track. Following college he enlisted in the U.S. Army for two years.

In 1960, he married Barbara Streid and moved to Chicago.

He graduated with a Master’s Degree of Social Work from Jane Adams School of Social Work, University of Illinois, in Chicago. He was one of the first social workers to work at the, then, newly developed community mental health centers. In 1970 he moved his family back to Youngstown and served the state of Ohio in many capacities.

He worked in social services agencies in Youngstown, Cleveland, and elsewhere in the state. He served as a field instructor for four area Schools of Social Work. Willis also had his own private practice as an LISW, serving many individuals and families in the local area. Willis earned an MBA from Weatherhead School of Business, Case Western Reserve University.

Willis is survived by his wife, Barbara Taylor, of 53 years; his sons, Lyman S. Taylor of Youngstown and Byron F. (Parlé) Taylor of Oak Park, Ill.; his sisters, Carrie Marion and Elizabeth (James) Lowe of Solon; grandsons, Franklin, Ellis, and Jared Taylor of Oak Park; sister-in-law, Carol Taylor; brother-in-law, Preston Johnson; nephew, John Jones; 15 other nieces and nephews; 27 great-nieces and nephews; and seven great-great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Willie Mae Robinson, Laura L Waite, Mary Alice Johnson, and Icedoria McKinney; and a brother, B. Franklin “Buddy” Taylor.

Services were officiated by Dr. Samuel Olarewaju at the Berean Fellowship Church, Saturday, April 15, 2014.

Calling hours are Friday, April 4, at the church from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 to 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Berean Fellowship Church, 1321 Lansdowne Blvd., Youngstown, OH 44505.

Arrangement entrusted to the F. D. Mason Memorial Funeral Home.

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