Randy Wayne Taylor, 75, passed away on April 17, 2026, surrounded by family. Randy was born on July 23, 1950, in Wilson, North Carolina, to the late Ernest and Josephine Taylor.

Randy fell in love with Linda Carol Bradford, whom he married on July 5, 1968, one year prior to his deployment to the U.S. Army after being drafted for the Vietnam War.

Randy served in the U.S. Army with the First Cavalry Division, an association he remained proud of throughout his life. After his service in Vietnam, Randy and Linda moved to Fort Carson, Colorado, where he completed his enlistment before being honorably discharged.

After returning to Wilson with Linda, they began their family with the birth of their daughter, Rhonda, in 1972. He joined the Wilson Police Department in 1975 and served there until his retirement in 2004.

Randy was known as a great and loyal friend—kind to all and respected by everyone he met. He always took time to speak with others and kept his friends and family close in his thoughts wherever he was.

After the loss of his wife of 29 years, Linda, Randy married Elsie Phillips in October 1997 and moved to Macclesfield, North Carolina, where he spent the remainder of his life. In his later years, he found a church home at Webb’s Chapel Baptist Church in Macclesfield.

Randy is survived by his wife of 28 years, Elsie Taylor; his daughter, Rhonda George (Anthony), and grandchildren, Regan Schmitzer (Isaiah), Madeline, and Abigail George; stepson, Chad Vainwright (Sherri), and grandchildren, Kymberly Rigby (Ashleigh) and Ashland Lowry (Shaun); sisters, Jeanette (Bobby) and Nannette (Tim); brother, Joey; great-grandchildren, Odin and Roman Schmitzer, and Luna and Mateo Rigby; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Linda Taylor; and his sister, Shelby Childers.

The family will receive friends during a visitation on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Webb’s Chapel Baptist Church, located at 2771 Webbs Chapel Road, Macclesfield, North Carolina. A funeral service, including military honors, will immediately follow the visitation. The Reverend Stephen Duncan and Pastor Jeff Holden will officiate the service.

Entombment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, 2704 Nash Street N, Wilson, North Carolina, where he will be laid to rest beside his first wife, Linda Taylor.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Randy Taylor to Webb’s Chapel Baptist Church, 2771 Webbs Chapel Rd, Macclesfield, North Carolina 27852.