Robert Lee Taylor

Robert Lee Taylor, 91, of Welsh, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2015, while a resident of Golden Age Nursing Home. Robert was born in Iowa, La. on Sept. 9, 1923. His parents were Smiley and Alta Taylor.

After high school, Robert joined the Army Air Corps-(now Air Force) in September. After gunnery school he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He completed two phases of training in a B-17 Bomber earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. He then was assigned to the 8th Air Force in Thurleigh, England flying with the 306th Bomb Group (H). They were the first bomber penetration over Germany January 27, 1943. He was awarded the Air Medal for the first five missions and an additional Oak Leaf Cluster for each additional five missions thereafter. After 25 missions he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He received his discharge from the Air Force in July of 1945.

Robert settled in Welsh where he worked for Fontenot Motors. He became District Manager for Massey Harris Corp. in 1954 and then Massey Ferguson. In 1958 he became owner of Fontenot Motors selling Massey Ferguson farm products, and Versatile tractors. He was past President of Deep South Farm Equipment, member of Rotary Club of Welsh, and a board member of American Bank. Robert retired from Fontenot Motors in 1986. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Welsh. After retirement in 1986 he loved his daily visits to Golden Age Nursing Home, where he later became a resident.

Mr. Taylor is pre deceased by his parents, Smiley and Alta Taylor; first wife and mother of his children, Helen Taylor; and one sister, Wilda Epperly.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Merle Grubbs Taylor; son, Ronnie Taylor of Welsh; daughter, Carol and husband David Fraser of Lake Charles; three step-sons, Buddy James, Tom James and Jeff James; sister, Rena Belle Monceaux of Welsh; five grandchildren, Kent Taylor of Welsh, Laura Hawkins (Zeb) of Broussard, La., Stuart Taylor (Jessica) of Welsh, Julia F. Harris (John) of Plano, Tx,and Andrew Fraser (Katy) of Austin, Tx; four great-grandchildren, Reese Hardy, Audrey Taylor, Kynlee Hawkins and Slade Hawkins; four step grandchildren and four step great grandchildren.

Visitation will be at First Baptist Church in Welsh on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 from 4-9pm. Visitation will resume on Wednesday from 9:00am until time of service. Service will be Wednesday, March 4, 2015, 2:00pm at First Baptist Church in Welsh. Reverend Jimmy Deshotel will officiate, assisted by Reverend Claude Fontenot and Reverend Dore Langley. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery in Welsh.

Pallbearers are Biff Henning, Andrew Fraser, Stuart Taylor, Donald Epperly, Roger Brodrick and David Fraser.

The family would like to thank Golden Age Nursing Home for their care, and a special thanks to Emily Gaskin R.N. and Renee Daniels of Heart of Hospice.