William John “Jack” Mustard was born in Greene County, Ohio, on June 29, 1940, to Melvin and Geraldine. At 20 months old and following the death of his mother to cancer, his father placed him into the custody of Dr. William and Julia Taylor, as Melvin could not care for his six siblings. At the age of 7, the Taylors formally adopted him. Dr. Taylor was the pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Binghamton, New York. Jack attended Binghamton North High School, where he won the title of state runner-up in wrestling. He graduated from Atlantic City High school in 1959.
Following graduation, he moved to Pompano Beach, Florida. Shortly thereafter he enlisted and proudly served in the US Air Force. Prior to enlisting, he met the love of his life, Henrietta “Henny” Lee. They began their life in marriage in the summer of 1963. Their family grew with the birth of his two daughters, Ginger and Julie.
Throughout his life, Jack was a committed man. In 1966, he began his 38-year-long career with the US Postal Service. He was simultaneously a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Pompano Beach, where he served as a deacon, choir member and a Sunday School teacher to youth and adults.
His commitment was arguably most evident through the many ways he mentored young people in his community. He devoted his spare time to refereeing and coaching church football and basketball teams, and formally coached wrestling at Pompano Beach and Ely High Schools. He treasured the years he and Henny spent working together in the Youth Ministry impacting the lives of many young people.
It was through his work within youth ministry he first placed his hands on the strings of the upright bass. The Lord revealed to him a lifelong passion simply because the Youth Joy Explosion Worship team needed a bass player. He became a member of the South Florida Bluegrass Association where his love for Bluegrass music and affection for playing in a band began. What many may not know is his ability to play the bass was solely self-taught.
While raising his girls with Henny, he loved to go camping, take annual trips to Disney World and attend Bluegrass Festivals. He also loved fishing and black powder hunting.
In the 90s, he was blessed with the arrival of his precious granddaughters Taylor and Molly, whom he lovingly referred to as his Taye and Molbug.
In 2006, he and Henny fulfilled a dream by moving to Skylake, a community in northeast Georgia mountains. They quickly settled in by joining the church family at Helen First Baptist where they continued to serve the Lord in the music ministry. His love for bluegrass continued to thrive professionally onstage and personally in the company of friends and fellow bluegrass lovers. His time in Georgia gave him the feeling he was always on vacation.
In the last six months of his life, he was blessed by the arrival of his great-granddaughter Blair Jolley. He was so thankful to be given the opportunity to share several occasions of family time with her.
Living on in his memory, are his wife, Henrietta “Henny;” daughters Ginger McCormick (John) and Julie Eibeschitz (Josh); granddaughters Taylor Jolley (Nathan) and Molly McCormick; great-granddaughter Blair Jolley; sister Marcella Cross; and many other beloved family members.
A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the following: georgiapickandbow.org, globaleffect.org and rulerofhope.org. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Please share online condolences and memories with the family at www.wardsfh.com.
Ward’s Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of William J. Taylor.
