William Taylor
CPO William C. “Bill” Taylor, age 87, passed away Wednesday, June 3rd in Monroe, La.
Bill was born to William Thomas Taylor and Fannie Lee Frey Taylor of Mangham, La. on May 26, 1928. He grew up in Mangham, the son of a farmer and home maker. As a child he loved to ride horses, fish and hunt which he continued to do so throughout his life. He had already entered the service and while home on leave he met the love of his life, Mary Sue Swayze. Bill told the story often about riding to the Mangham High School and tying his horse to the flag pole where he would find Sue, to steal a kiss. He and Sue later married and shared 65 years together. Bill was preceded in death by Mary Sue; a son, William, Jr. “Pete”; two brothers, Bobby and Wade Taylor; a grandson, Brad Jones; and two great-grand daughters, Brook Rain Haynes and Madelyn Grace Taylor.
Bill is survived by son Ronnie Taylor, Sr. and wife LaRee of Newellton; daughters, Cathy Thompson and husband Steven, of Monroe and Jenny Ortega and husband Robert of Longview, Tx. Bill had nine grandchildren; Ronnie Lynn Taylor, Jr and wife Lisa of Mangham, Machelle Taylor of Monroe, Christie Haynes of Monroe, Holly Curry Perry and husband Corbin of Winnsboro, William “Buddy” Curry, Jr. and wife Sandi of Crowville, Lori Curry Evans and husband Justin of Baskin, Patricia Thomas and husband Heath of Blossom, Tx. and Robert Cole Ortega and wife Felica of Longview, Tx. and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Bill enlisted in the Navy just out of high school. During his 25 years, he served in three wars. WWII, Korean War and the Viet Nam War. Bill was on several teams during his 25 years but retired from NMCB 10, Navy Mobile Construction Battalion, known as The Fighting Bee’s. He was extremely proud of being a Seabee. He was stationed around the world including Newfoundland, Antarctic (The Deep Freeze) and Spain. During one of his three deployments to Viet Nam, he was on a nine man ‘STAT’ team that was dropped off in the jungle to repair a air strip that was used to bring in medics and take out the wounded. The strip had been blown up. Bill was the only man to survive that mission. He later was on another deployment in Nam, while under attack, he was loading mortars and one went off resulting in the loss of his vision in his left eye and hearing in his left ear. Bill lost his little brother, CPL Stanley “Wade” Taylor in Viet Nam from hostile gun fire just before his last deployment to Rhoda Spain. While in Rhoda, he lead a team of 50 men, his orders were to build a school for children. He completed his assignment on time and under budget, which he received recognition for when he returned from Spain, and retired a month later in 1972 at the rank of Chief Petty Office E7. He returned to Mangham to be close to his parents.
Once back in Mangham, Bill worked as a bridge foreman for TL James Construction, then later as a Deputy Sheriff in Richland Parish, Rayville, La. After moving to Newellton, La., he and Sue managed Surplus City Landing “Lake Yucatan” for 20 years before retiring in 2009. Since that time, Bill and Sue moved to Gilbert, La. and spent their last years together.
Bill was a member of the First Baptist Church of Newellton until recently moving his letter to New Light Baptist Church in Mangham. He was also a member of several organizations including The Fleet Reserve, The American Legion in Newellton La. for many years, Past Master Mason of Masonic Lodge #309, in St. Joseph, La. and recently moved to and was in good standing with the Masonic Lodge #370 in Crowville, La.
Burial was Saturday, June 6th at Gwin Cemetery in Mangham. Bill was carried to his final resting place by his comrades, brothers in arms, The U. S. Navy and The Honor Guard from Jena, La.
Bill had a special friend that fought beside him on foreign soil that he considered his brother for life, Mr. Al Kruger.
Honorary pallbearers were James Donald Taylor, Claude Frey, Roger Arnold, James Lachney, John Gunter and David Hutto.
Online registry and condolences are at www.youngscommunity.com.