New Harmony, Utah - Joseph R Taylor passed away in his home in New Harmony on February 14, 2026. He was born in Salina, on March 29, 1954 to Pratt and Hazel Marie Jackson Taylor.

Joe attended and graduated from Wayne County High School in 1972. During high school he was the Junior High Student Body President, he played basketball, and participated in FFA. After high school, Joe attended college at Southern Utah University, later attended Western College of Auctioneering and became certified auctioneer.

He was a true outdoorsman and found joy in horses, guns, hunting, and skeet shooting. He was also creative and could weld beautiful horseshoe art. Joe lived his life on his own terms. He always remembered people and tried to keep up with their lives. He loved teasing children and was a favorite uncle.

Joe leaves behind his siblings: Rosemarie Stephens of Ephraim, Calva Rae (Stephen) Rich of Frisco, Texas, Prall (Mary) Taylor of Loa, Eva Dean (Richard) of Richfield; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Brother, Bruce Pratt; cousin, Merlin Taylor; brother-in-law, Joe Stephens; sister-in-law, Karen Taylor.

A celebration of life will be held from 6:00-8:00 P.M. on February 20, 2026 in the New Harmony LDS Church, 12 South Main Street.

A second celebration of life will be held from 2:00-4:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at the R Livestock Connection (Richfield Auction), located at the Junction of Austin and Elsinore on Highway 118, where Joe worked as an auctioneer.

Cremation services are under the care of Springer Turner Funeral Homes of Richfield and Salina.