William Taylor Duncan

Funeral services for Bro. William Taylor Duncan, Sr.,77, of Jefferson, Texas, will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 28, 2025, in the chapel of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Linden.  Burial will follow at Shiloh Cemetery.  There will be a time of visitation with family and friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday, October 27, 2025, at the funeral home.

William Taylor Duncan, Sr., was born on January 3, 1948, in a small farmhouse in Marion County, Texas, to Marshall and Melba Duncan. He passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, October 23, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.  Taylor was a man who never shied away from hard work, from picking cotton in flour sacks as a young boy to serving as superintendent for power plants. He was also a restaurant owner for more than ten years and served as a Cass County Commissioner for twelve years. In addition, he worked as a state contractor, helping to clear debris from Texas roads.

His faith guided his life. Taylor preached in the Methodist circuit for many years, beginning at Shiloh Methodist Church in 1977. He was ordained in the Southern Baptist Church in 1986 and later reopened Lanier Friendship Baptist Church in 1987, where he faithfully served as pastor until recent times.  Taylor loved duck hunting, fishing, and camping with Brenda and their children. He also found joy in gardening and sharing his harvest with his community.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marshall and Melba Duncan, and by his son, Danny Michael Duncan.

Bro. Duncan is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Brenda Duncan; sons, William Taylor Duncan, Jr. (Kathy) and James Douglas Duncan (Tammy); honorary sons, William Johnson (Charlotte) and Jason Fleming; siblings, Jimmy Duncan, Dennis Joe Duncan, and Patsy Brown; eight grandchildren: Cody, Erin, Kassidy, Dylan, Summer, Marshall, Anna, and Jackson; eight great-grandchildren; and nine honorary grandchildren.

Taylor’s life was a testament to faith, service, and love. His legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.