Willa S. Taylor
Willa S. Taylor of Glasgow passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2024 in Glasgow. She was preceded in death by her husbands Woodrow W. Simmons and Johnnie W. Taylor; a son Woodrow “Woody” Simmons; a brother Ray John Smith; and a grandson Jon Brandon Taylor.
Survivors include a son John W. Taylor and wife Berna of Bowling Green; two grandchildren: Ashley Taylor and Grant Taylor both of Bowling Green; a brother Ed Smith of Glasgow; a daughter-in-law Ann Simmons of Frankfort; two nieces: Lisa Smith Holman of Bowling Green and Becky Smith Kingrey of Glasgow; two step-nieces: Patti Broom of Louisiana and Kathy England of Glasgow.
She and her husband Johnnie opened Taylor & Taylor Real Estate in 1952 and after Johnnie’s death in 1976, Willa continued in the business serving as Principal Broker for the company until her retirement in 2007.
She was an active member of the Glasgow-Barren County Board of REALTORS and was also a member of the Kentucky Association of REALTORS and the National Association of REALTORS. Willa received the REALTOR Associate award in 1979 and served as President of the local Association in 1980. She was the recipient of the Association’s highest honor, “REALTOR of the Year” in 1980 and again in 1998. During her service to the Association, she served as President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Every year she would volunteer her time and service to serve on the various committees of the Association and in 1994 received the Tommy Sabens Distinguished Service Award for her service to the Association.
She was a member of the Glasgow-Barren County Chamber of Commerce. She was a charter member of the Ambassadors Club and voted Ambassador of the year in 1987. She served as chairman of the Community Improvement Committee which developed the Barren County rural Firefighters Network and for this effort received the Chamber’s Community Development award in 1984. She received the Chamber’s Athena Award in 1991.
She was appointed by Mayor Charles B. Honeycutt to the Glasgow housing and appeals board where she served for several years. She also served on the Board of the Housing Authority’s Community Development Agency for over 20 years.
She was a charter member of the Glasgow B&PW Club and was named Woman of Achievement by the Younger B&PW club in 1979. She served as president of the younger club in 1981. She also served as editor of the Kentucky Cardinal Magazine, which was the state federation BPW Women’s publication in 1989-1990.
She was a member of the Barren County Republican Women’s Club for many years and served in various leadership roles and on various committees. She also served as Secretary of the Barren County Republican Party. She was also a long-time member of the First Christian Church of Glasgow.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Hatcher & Saddler Funeral Home with a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to College Heights Foundation at Western Kentucky University or the Mary Wood Weldon Library.
John, I am so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I worked with her for many years in BPW and other community activities. She was a lovely person. Mona
John, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. I worked with her in BPW and many other local groups. She was a lovely person. Hugs, your friend from GHS ’67.
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John…so very sorry for the loss of your mom. You and your family are in our prayers.
Paulette
GHS ‘67
John, I am so sorry for your loss. She was a strong presence in our community and life. I know she will be missed. We are losing the older generation but we have the Blessed Assurance of meeting again. I’ll keep you in my prayers. Blessings to you and your family. [Jeanne Wallace Garrett GHS67]