MSgt. Vernon R. Taylor

Master Sergeant Vernon R. Taylor, USAF (Ret.) of Candler, passed away Monday, March 31, 2008. Born April 3, 1923, a native of Candler, MSgt Taylor was the son of the late Noah Gaston Taylor and Dessie Case Taylor of Candler. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Faye Duckett Taylor, brothers, Weaver, Deaver and Blaine Taylor and sister Elsie Sluder. Master Sergeant Taylor graduated from Candler High School and upon graduation joined the USAAF where he began his service to our country in WWII, spending two years in Italy. He and his wife spent three years in Germany during the Berlin Air Lift as well as assignments at Maxwell Field, AL, Bradley Field, CT, Donaldson AFB, SC, Yokata AFB Japan, and McGuire AFB New Jersey. MSgt Taylor's last assignment was as an Air Force recruiter in Asheville. He worked very closely with high school counselors in all the western counties. After his 26 year career in the military, MSgt Taylor worked briefly as a member of the sales staff of Biltmore Tool and Supply Company before he began an active real estate career. He was an active member of the Asheville Board of Realtors until his retirement in 2001. He was also a very active member of Acton United Methodist Church and a member of the Biltmore Chapter of Freemasons. He continued to support all branches of the military by placing American flags along side of businesses on every federal/state holiday while serving an active role as a lifelong member of the Air Force Association and a sponsor of the Air Force and World War II memorials in Washington, DC. He was honored to fly with the Honor Air Veterans Group to visit the World War II Memorial in the fall of 2007. MSgt Taylor is survived by his sons, Terry Taylor of Asheville and Randy Taylor and wife Brenda Simpson-Taylor and two grandsons, Thomas Simpson Taylor and John Alexander Taylor. The family will receive friends from 11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Friday, April 4, at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue, with a service following at 12:30 P.M. The graveside service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to VFW Post #9939, in memory of Master Sergeant Vernon Taylor, 36 George's Branch Road, Candler, NC 28715.