Ex-CBS, NAB Exec Sherril Taylor Dies At 87

Sherril Wightman Taylor, former CBS and National Association of Broadcasters executive, died last Wednesday, March 30, 2011, at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. He was 87.

During his long career in broadcasting, Taylor was a VP of affiliate relations for CBS and a VP at the NAB.

He also served as president and chairman of the International Radio and Television Foundation, chairman of the International Radio and Television Society and was a producer on NBC’s Kukla, Fran and Ollie.

As a consultant to the United States Information Agency in the 1980’s, Taylor led the establishment of the USIA’s private sector advisory committees consisting of top U. S. communications companies. He received a Presidential Citation from President Ronald Reagan for this achievement.

He was the recipient of the America Broadcast Pioneer Award.

He is survived by his wife, Josephine Vermillion Taylor; his daughter by a previous marriage, Sarah Taylor Lockhart; and two grandsons, Will and Sam Lockhart; Mrs. Taylor’s son and daughter-in-law, Harry L. Crumpacker and Michele Forney, a brother, Phil Badham and several cousins.
Taylor was a graduate of the University of Missouri and did graduate work at Yale University. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and served in the United States Merchant Marines.