Ray L. Taylor, 82, of Windsor, Missouri, died Monday morning, June 30, 2014, at his home in Windsor, surrounded by his family.

He was born July 22, 1931, in Fletcher, Oklahoma, the son of Glen Bert Taylor and Venus (Glass) Taylor. On December 11, 1951, in Independence, Mo., he married Bonnie Jean Lusso and to this union 4 children were born. On June 12, 1975, he married Carol Ann Turney and she preceded him in death February 13, 2006.

Ray graduated from Raytown High School and after graduation, joined the United States Air Force, serving during the Korean Conflict. After his Honorable Discharge from the Air Force, he joined the Air Force Reserves and worked as an aircraft mechanic for over 30 years, at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, retiring in 1988. Ray loved fishing and was a great fan of college football, especially the Oklahoma Sooners college football team.  He was a member of the Raytown Masonic Lodge 391 and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Master Mason. He was also a Noble of the Ararat Shrine Temple, Kansas City, Mo.

Survivors include 3 sons, David R. Taylor and his wife Cyndy, Windsor, Mo.; Darrin J. Taylor and his wife Jayne, Clinton, Mo.; Dwayne M. Taylor and his wife Elizabeth, Butler, Mo.; a daughter, Tammy (Taylor) Crowell and her husband James, Springfield, Mo.; a step-daughter, Kathy Duckworth, Toledo, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; a sister, Glendena Taylor Lewis, Kansas City, Mo.; an aunt, Bertha “Tootsie” Sailors, North Kansas City, Mo.; an uncle, Aubrey Taylor, Republic, Mo.; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, Ray was preceded in death by a brother, Roy Taylor.

Masonic Services will be held Thursday, July 3, 6:00 p.m. and funeral services will follow at 6:30 p.m. at the Hadley Funeral Home, Windsor. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Thursday before the service at the funeral home.  Inurnment will be at a later date at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, Mo. The family suggests contributions to Heartland Hospice or Masonic Homes of Missouri and these may be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.hadleyfuneralhome.com.

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