Neil Willis Taylor

Neil Willis Taylor, 54, passed away on October 28 in Portland TX. Neil was a writer, a conservationist, a fishing guide and a former professional umpire. Born in El Paso, TX, nine months after his father got back from service in the Vietnam War, his proud parents were Jane Hill Taylor and Leslie G Taylor, Jr.

Neil grew up in Litchfield Park, AZ. He graduated from Agua Fria High School in Avondale, AZ and graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in finance. He then moved to the Clearwater, FL area where he made his home for many years. In the last few years, Neil relocated to Texas to continue following his fishing passion in a new area.

A retired professional baseball umpire, Taylor spent 10 years umpiring the game. A Crew Chief most of these years, he worked with many umpires making their way to the Major Leagues. Neil umpired in the Florida State, Gulf Coast, Appalachian, South Atlantic, Carolina, Eastern and International Leagues. He always said that his years in umpiring were a grind, but a good grind.

After his retirement from umpiring, Neil became a fishing guide. Strike Three Kayak Fishing was born. He had many clients, including some who traveled frequently from out of state to fish with him. They learned how to fish, how to operate their kayaks to maximize fishing opportunities, how to handle the fish in catch and release sessions and learn why conservation is so important to the State of Florida. Neil was described as a “master” fisherman who enjoyed sharing his fishing passion with others.

Neil’s voice was also heard throughout the State of Florida for his fishing conservation efforts involving fish population management for Snook, Redfish and other endangered species. He was an organizer of people to voice their conservation concerns and perspectives with the Governor and Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Neil wrote numerous articles about fishing and gave many seminars on fishing. He took over management for the CapMel.com fishing website and wrote much of the content. He also published four books: Kayak Fishing, Fishing Tampa Bay, I Thought it was Funny, and The Professional Baseball Umpire.

Left to cherish his memory are his mother Jane, brothers Leslie and Stuart, two nephews, three nieces, 18 cousins and many friends too numerous to count. Neil was preceded in death by his father Leslie G Taylor, Jr, his brother Mark, his cousin Amy Adams and his grandparents Sarah and Leslie G Taylor, Sr. and Margaret Barth and James A.S. Hill.

Arrangements were handled by the Neptune Society in Corpus Christi TX. Friends and family can share condolences and memories at: www.neptunesociety.com/location/corpus-christi-cremation .