Burke Emory Taylor, 89, of Fayetteville, NC passed away on 13 October 2021 at 12:35pm with his daughter and granddaughter by his side.
Now before I continue you must know that Burke hated talking about himself. So, not to ruin his reunion with his wife (because I know he is still watching), I will give you only a brief summary of the man, the myth, and the legend.
Burke was a decorated US Army Veteran who served 23 years and fought in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was born on 29 November 1931 in Wheeling, WV, a coal-mining town in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. After graduating high school, Burke enlisted in the US Army as a Combat Engineer. In 1956 while stationed in Stuttgart, Germany he met and fell in love with Hilda, who he soon married. Later that year they welcomed their daughter Nancy. He also adopted Hilda’s son, William.
In 1975 Burke decided it was time to retire from the military. Burke was not one who could sit around, so he started working at Cape Fear Valley Medical Hospital as the Maintenance Technician. He was loved by all the nurses and was known as the only employee who never missed a day of work during his 20 years of employment.
Burke had a passion for traveling and playing poker. Burke and his wife would travel all over the east coast as well as take day trips every weekend. When his wife passed away in 2003, Burke continued to travel and could be found several times a year sitting at a Blackjack table in Atlantic City. He also loved going to Paul’s Place a few times each week to listen to music and hang out with his best friend Paul. He was always up with the times (having a Facebook page, texting, even having smart lights in his living room). Burke’s heart was so big and even though he never said what someone meant to him, you could always tell by his actions. And he was a smartass, still joking around even up to the end.
Burke was preceded in death by Hilda Taylor (wife) and William “Bill” Taylor (son).
He is survived by Nancy Jane Comer (daughter) and Christina Hilda Eveyln Terwilliger (granddaughter) both of Fayetteville, NC
A graveside memorial service with full military honors will take place on Thursday, 21 October 2021 at 10am. The family is requesting everyone to meet at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home between 9:00-9:15am for the funeral procession to the cemetery.
There will be a celebration of Burke’s life held at Paul’s Place (710 Starling St, Fayetteville, NC 28303) at 1:00pm to 3:00pm on Thursday, 21 October 2021. There will be food and live music provided by Tease Band, one of Burke’s favorite bands.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions (or donations) be sent to Off-Road Outreach (www.offroadoutreach.com).
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