Lewis Edward Taylor

June 20, 1932 - October 1, 2018

Lewis Edward Taylor, age 86, of Bristol, TN, passed away on Monday, October 1, 2018 at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was born on June 20, 1932 in Alvarado, VA, a son of the late Don Clifton and Dessie Brown Taylor of Bristol, TN. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Dirk Lewis Taylor, 28, of Reno, NV; grandparents, Henry “Bud” Taylor and Cordelia “Cordi” Parrish Taylor of Bristol, TN and James Robert Brown and Florence Amelia Marks Brown of Alvardeo, VA; brothers, Dwight Mark Denton and Harold Thurman Denton and wife Marie Rogers Denton all of Bristol, TN; infant sister, Juanita Denton of Alvardeo, VA; and brother-in-law, Wilbur Russell Stewart of Bristol, TN. Lewis was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force having served his country for 20 years as a military policeman. He served several tours overseas including Korea, Greece, Germany, and Thailand and stateside in WY, TX and FL. Lewis also guarded many movie stars during USO Tours. He was an avid reader with some of his favorite authors being Louis L’Lamour, John Grisham and Tom Clancy. Lewis loved fishing, shooting (most especially pistols), old Western movies, and Little Debbie snack cakes. He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Thelma Ruth Legge Taylor of Keokee, VA; sons, Wilhelm “Willy” Wetzels Taylor and wife Hannelore Lieselotte Karoline Gebhardt Taylor of Boulder, CO and Friedrich “Fred” Wetzels Taylor and wife Ragnhild A. “Ronni” Baker of Reno, NV; sister, Nora Jean Stewart; granddaughter, Nicole Lara Scott; stepchildren, Stephen Smith of Tampa, FL and Stephanie Smith of Bristol, VA; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home in Bristol, TN. The funeral service will follow at 7:00 PM with Brother Randy Barron officiating. The committal service and interment will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at Glenwood Cemetery in Bristol, TN. Military honors will be rendered by VFW Honor Guard Post # 6975. Arrangements especially for Mr. Taylor and his family have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory.