Albert Taylor Obituary

Albert Quitman Taylor, Jr.
It is with great sadness the family of Albert (Al) Q. Taylor, Jr. announces his passing on December 17, 2025. Al was 91 years old at his death. He was a father, friend, and lawyer who fervently believed in fairness and the Rule of Law.
Born in Greenville, S.C. to Albert Q. Taylor, Sr. and Kathryn Ashmore Taylor of Greenville as a premature infant, he claimed he would not be alive but for the very first incubator at St. Francis Hospital (and often mused that "if [he] had been full term, just think how good he would have turned out!").
He attended the Greenville City Schools, graduating from Greenville Senior High School in June, 1952. Active in student affairs, he was Business Manager of the Yearbook, The Nautilus, and in student government. In the fall of 1952, he entered the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Al was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, other social clubs and the Air Force R.O.T.C. Program. Upon graduation in June, 1956 with a degree in Economics, he was commissioned as a 2nd LT. in the US Air Force Reserve. On August 24, 1956, just before leaving to go on active duty, he married Alice Louise Townsend of Laurens, SC. He served 3 years active duty in in Winter Haven, Florida, and as an Aircraft Controller at an Air Station in Las Cruces, New Mexico, directing live fire missions over White Sands Missile Range. After 3 years service, Al returned to South Carolina and entered The University of South Carolina School of Law. Despite his accomplishments to that point, Al said that his life really began when he entered Law School. There, he was a member of Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity and Associate Editor of The Law Quarterly, but more importantly, Al found his true calling that would shape the rest of his life.
He received a LLM Degree in Law in April,1962 and began practicing law in Greenville, SC. In 1965, he was appointed Assistant US Attorney in the Western District of SC. As a Federal prosecutor, Al immediately became involved in significant Federal criminal litigation. That experience cemented his desire to be come a trial lawyer. Advancing in his career, he joined Leatherwood, Walker, Todd and Mann Law Firm in 1968. Al shifted his trial skills towards civil litigation, specializing in insurance defense and civil fraud cases, however, he never lost touch with his criminal trial roots. He quickly became involved in significant State criminal practice and Federal criminal litigation and enjoyed a rapidly developing trial practice of criminal law. During more than 20 years with The Leatherwood Firm, Al became widely known as a skilled criminal defense and appellate lawyer, appearing in significant cases before the South Carolina Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Criminal defendants continued to seek him as their attorney. In 1989, he left The Leatherwood Firm but continued full time practice. During the 1990s, Al practiced with Taylor, Stephenson & Henry continuing a practice with an emphasis on criminal and civil litigation. Thereafter, Al maintained a solo/firm listing in Greenville for many decades.
Al had a long and varied career in both state and federal courts. Colleagues respected him for his careful preparation, his deep knowledge of the law, and his willingness to take on complex, high stakes cases. In his 60+ years as an attorney, his practiced included criminal law, divorce and family law, and accident and injury matters. For more than 20 years, Al served as a teacher and mentor to young attorneys in the 13th Circuit Solicitor's Office until he retired in June, 2018. Throughout his career, his clients and his peers recognized that he valued treating everyone the same, with respect, despite their income or status and that everyone was entitled to the best representation he could give. He believed in hard work and that anything that came easy might be suspect. Those who knew him would say: He had a big bark but a soft heart, and you could absolutely trust him in all respects.
Al was a member of the SC Bar Association. In September, 1993, he was recognized as an outstanding trial lawyer by his peers and inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL). Invitation to the ACTL is the highest honor for a Trial Lawyer. It is an invitation-only Fellowship of exceptional trial lawyers from the United States and Canada who have demonstrated the very highest standards of trial advocacy, ethical conduct, integrity, professionalism, and collegiality. Fellows are limited to no more than 1% of the total lawyer population in a state or province. Additionally, Al received a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating, which Martindale describes as an "excellent rating" based on reviews from fellow attorneys.
After the death of his wife, Alice Louise, Al reconnected with his childhood friend and married Mary Louise Bouchillon King on September 20, 1991. Al and Mary Louise's marriage of more than 34 years was built on companionship, laughter and family. They enjoyed good food, travel, and time spent with family and friends. They devoted themselves to their beloved dachshunds, Milie and Mollie, who were cherished members of the family. To their grandchildren they were known as "Owl" and "Wee Wee." Their home was a hub of family gatherings and celebrations for many years.
Al was a devoted son and brother helping care for his aging parents and his brother (with terminal MS). He helped many of his relatives with solving problems using his legal skills to serve them. In his free time, he enjoyed spending time with his family and brother-in-laws working on the farm (where he put on many a good BBQ), going to Pawley's Island, SC, visiting Caesar's Head, SC, traveling with his wife and friends... and dancing (earning the nickname "Old smokin' shoes!") He was proud of his children and grandchildren and often spoke of them. In his last days, he commented that he "worked hard to raise [them] to be good people."
He loved to read a good book (often in one sitting) and felt strongly that "if you can read, you can learn". If fortunate enough to sit with him, you might have heard him sharing stories from his early days in the law practice, or discussing current events and politics. He was never lacking a strong opinion. He voted as a Democrat until he wasn't able to vote. In his later years, he enjoyed following the stock market and researching and trading stocks.
Al's memberships included Christ Church Episcopal, the Greenville Country Club, The Poinsett Club. He presided at one time as the President of the Metropolitan Dance Club and The Greenville Historical Society.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Jack Kendall Taylor, his first wife, Alice Louise Townsend Taylor and his firstborn son, Richard Townsend Taylor. He is survived by his wife, Mary Louise King Taylor, two children, Kendall Taylor Huguley (Gaines) of Greenville and Albert Quitman Taylor III (Laura) of NYC, step daughters, Curry (Jack) Bullington, Lisa McDowell, Marjorie Patteson, Kathryn (Bruce) Besancon, and many grand children: Townsend Huguley Crocker (Ben), Elise Huguley, Hays Huguley Howard (Andrew), Chip Kay, Elizabeth McDowell Hammer, Katy Girardeau (Matt), Josiah Patteson (Abi), Daniel Patteson (Sarah), Hunter Besancon (Jess), Hope Patteson Turcotte (Trevor), Rebekah Besancon, Emma Patteson, and Patricia Patteson; many nieces, nephews and great grand children; and long time treasured friends.
His family extends deep thanks to the community of caregivers who cared for Al at the Woodlands at Furman. We are also grateful to Hospice of the Upstate for their support in his final days.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., in the Markley Chapel on the campus of Christ Church Episcopal in Greenville. A reception for visitation will immediately follow the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:
Clement's Kindness 10 South Academy Street, Suite 350 Greenville, SC 29601 [email protected] https://www.clementskindness.org/donate/
Or
The Greenville Humane Society 305 Airport Rd Greenville, SC 29607 https://www.greenvillehumane.com/giving-contact/
Or
Christ Episcopal Church 10 North Church Street Greenville, SC 20601 https://www.ccgsc.org/give
Friends are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Al with the family by clicking on the button labeled "Share A Memory."