Willie Howard Taylor Jr.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Willie Howard Taylor, Jr., 71, of Luxora died Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, in Osceola.

Born May 27, 1942, in Dell to the late Willie Taylor Sr. and Katherine Taylor, he was a retired aviation mechanic and retired Army veteran (two terms in Vietnam) and was of the Baptist faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Flora Lee Brewer; and two brothers, R. Lee Smith and Warren Taylor.

Mr. Taylor is survived by his wife, Charlene Taylor of Luxora;

Six daughters, Shirley Ann Peterson of New Orleans, Deidre Keys of Tacoma, Wash., and Doris Ware Petty, Gail Taylor, Stephanie Lewis and Monica Taylor, all of Luxora;

Two sons, Willie Howard Taylor III of Sherwood and Donald Taylor of Opelika, Ala.;

Three sisters, Rosie Overton of Waco, Texas, Ora Bell Taylor of Waynesville, Mo., and Alice Cooper of St. Louis;

Two brothers, Earnest Smith of Aurora, Ill., and Roy Taylor of Flint, Mich.; and

Thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchilden.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Wilson Funeral Home in Osceola. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Wilson Funeral Home with Pastor Larry Hill officiating. Burial will be at Luxora Cemetery. Wilson Funeral Home in Osceola is in charge of arrangements.