Richard Hayes Taylor Sr., son of Johnnie and Carrie (nee Williams) was born on October 12, 1934 in Lufkin TX.  His family later moved to Oakland California.  Richard attended Oakland High and excelled in football, track and field.   In high school, he met and married Sevilla (nee Cherry) on September 18, 1952.  This union resulted in five children: Wanda, Kenneth, Carolyn, Richard Jr., and Cecilia.

Richard accepted Christ and joined Evergreen Baptist Church at a young age and was a member of the choir. Richard worked several decades at General Motors in Fremont as an assemblyman and with the ILWU achieving the position of walking boss.  Richard retired from GM in the 1980s and ILWU in 2004.  After suffering from a debilitating stroke in 2004, he spent his time enjoying conversations with family and acquaintances about sports, cars, and politics.  Richard had a rich sense of humor and life-earned wisdom he enjoyed sharing with others.

Richard transitioned from this life on October 10, 2019 and was preceded in death by his wife Sevilla, son Kenneth and grandson David. He is survived by his remaining children Wanda Wilford (Marvin), Carolyn, Richard Jr., and Cecilia, his grandchildren Mikhail, Shannon, and Anthony Wilford and great-grandson Jace Wilford.