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Willie Taylor, born March 20, 1922, passed peacefully on to a life of eternity with our Lord Jesus Christ on March 27, 2018 at the age of 96 years. As a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge, both in Oklahoma City and at Flint Lodge #11 in Stilwell, OK, Willie lived a long, full life built on kindness, often helping those who needed a helping hand. Willie would have given the shirt off his back to anyone in need.
Willie was born in Holdenville, OK, and grew up in the rural Hulsey Community of Hughes County. He graduated from Moss Consolidated Schools in 1941. He enrolled at the Murray State School of Agriculture in Tishomingo, OK, and while in attendance there, he and several of his friends volunteered to work on farms to help earn their tuition fees. They worked long, hard days and were compensated at the modest pay rate of only 25-cents per day. Soon, President Roosevelt initiated a new U.S. Defense Plan, whereby college students were given an opportunity to work in manufacturing plants, building aircraft parts.
Accepting the bold new challenge, Willie and several of his buddies left college to travel to Bridgeport, CT, to take part in this specialized governmental work initiated at the ALCOA (Aluminum Company of America) Plant. Willie was an employee there for approximately two years. Then at the age of 21 years, Willie was drafted into military service for WW-II. He earned the rank of Sergeant, and his experience included serving as a flight crewmember for the single-winged Arenac planes. However, because of a vision defect, Willie was prohibited from getting a pilot's license. Instead, his training was eventually transferred to the Regular Army Corps, where he focused on Gunnery Mechanics.
After the war, Willie earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree in Industrial Engineering from the Oregon State College in Corvallis, OR, graduating in 1951. In 1954, Willie married Jimmie Ferguson in Holdenville, OK. It was a loving marriage that would last a lifetime.
Willie was preceded in death by his parents, Mitt and Annie Taylor, Wife, Jimmie Taylor, two sisters, Nola and Melba, and two brothers, Bud and J.C. Taylor.
Willie is survived by a daughter, Leslie Dean of Oklahoma City, one sister, Fannie Cates of Oregon, and two brothers, Lindel Taylor of Arizona, and Jack Taylor of Florida. Other special loved ones in Willie's life included: two Nephews, Mike Campbell and Russell Dilday; a special mother-in-law, Mrs. Crouch; a sister-in-law, Johnny Taylor; numerous other nieces,nephews and extended family members, including lifelong friends such as Helen Callaway Cowan and the Bob Callaway family.
Willie Taylor attended the Rock Fence Baptist Church of Stilwell, OK. And as a 50-year plus member of the Masonic Lodge, he served in the position of secretary for numerous terms.
A special "Coming Home" Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 6, 2018, at 2:00 PM, at the Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home, 32117 West Highway 22, Charleston, AR 72933, officiated by Reverend Fran Callaway and assisted by Bob Callaway and Helen Callaway Cowan, lifelong friends of Willie Taylor. Honorary Pall Bearers will include Mitchell Taylor, David Joe Taylor, Russell Dilday and Mike Campbell. Memorial contributions in honor o of Willie Taylor's life may be made to: The Rock Fence Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1146, Stilwell, OK 74960.
Willie Taylor was a child of God, saved by the wonderful Grace of Jesus Christ. He demonstrated a life well lived in the service of his God and family.
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