Myron Taylor

He was born in Plentywood, Mont., March 28, 1933. Myron graduated from West Seattle High School in 1952. He received an associate of arts degree from Centralia Community College in 1979.

Myron was married to Shirley (Wineland) Sept. 25, 1954, in Seattle, Wash. They were married for over 63 years.

Myron enlisted in the United States Air Force in March 1952. Following Basic Training at Lackland AFB, Texas he was selected for training as a Radio Intercept Operator. After completing training in Keesler, Mississippi (Jan 53) he was assigned to the 6910th Security Group at Landsburg, Germany. Arriving in Bremerhaven, Germany after a nine days on the USNS Buckner he and others were reassigned to the 34th RSM (Radio Squadron Mobile) at Wheelus Field, Tripoli.

Following his first overseas assignment he departed Africa in September 1954, for a Radar Station in North Bend, OR. Once home he married Shirley. Soon, he was off to March AFB, California for Analytical Training where he also was promoted to Staff Sergeant. During this period, he also qualified and was selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS), while simultaneously; he received an assignment to Zweibrucken, Germany. He turned down OCS selection and the family proceeded to Germany arriving at the 6901st Special Communications Group (SPCOMGRU) in December 1958. In July 1962, he was reassigned to the 6970th Security Group (SCTY GP) at the National Security Agency (NSA) at Ft Meade, Maryland and was soon promoted to Technical Sergeant (TSgt).

In September 1965, Myron departed for a remote tour on St Lawrence Island, Alaska and the 6980th Security Squadron (SCTY SQ) while Shirley and the kids stayed in Seattle. Leaving St Lawrence Island as a Master Sergeant (MSgt) in Sept 1966, he and the family moved to Anchorage, Alaska where Myron was assigned to the 6981st SCTY GP.

In July 1969, Myron and the family left Alaska and moved to Hakata, located on the third largest island of Japan. In Japan, Myron was assigned to the 6918th SCTY SQ from August 1969 to May 1972 supporting signals intelligence in Southwest Asia (SWA), during the Vietnam War. He was promoted to Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) at the 6918th. Myron volunteered to support in-county operations in Vietnam but he was never given the “green light” by leadership. He always had a special place in his heart for the Airmen he knew who never returned.

In May of 1972, he was reassigned and preceded to the 6910th SCTY SQ at Augsburg, Germany. Following a three year tour in Germany Myron was reassigned to The United States Logistics Group (TUSLOG) Det 94 in Karamursel, Turkey for one year, August 1974 to August 1975. Finishing Senior NCO school and notified of his promotion to Chief Master Sergeant, (CMSgt) he was reassigned stateside for his second tour at NSA at Ft Meade, Maryland culminating a career in Intelligence and retiring in September 1978 at the highest enlisted rank of CMSgt (E-9). Quit smoking.

After retiring from the Air Force, in 1978, he and the family settled in Centralia, Wash. Myron worked at The Chronicle and Sherwood Forrest Farms while attending Centralia Community College. After Mount St. Helens blew on May 18, 1980, Myron was hired by the State of Washington to assist those in the blast zone with shelter, water and aid. Following a few years of temporary employment with the State of Washington he was finally hired full-time with the Washington State’s Department of Social and Health Services in Chehalis, as a financial advisor and food stamp supervisor. He retired from the State after 19 years, in March 1998, at age 65.

He enjoyed old cars, traveling, gardening, playing card games and watching the Mariners.

Myron was a past president of the Son’s of Norway and cooked for the annual Lutefisk dinner for many years. He also served as master of the Oakview Grange. He was a Shriner for life and a lifetime member of the Freedom Through Vigilance Association and a member of the Harrison Square Presbyterian Church.

He was preceded in death by his father, Myron; mother, Mabel; infant sister Melba Jean, younger sister, Doreen; younger brother, Bill; youngest brother, Glenn; and infant daughter, Penny.

Myron is survived by his wife, Shirley, at home; younger brother, Robert Taylor of Fort Mojave, Ariz.; children, Christopher (Sonja) Taylor of McAlester, Okla., daughter, Lynn (Patrick) Wiltzius of Chehalis, Wash., and Patrick (Christine) Taylor of Las Vegas, Nev.; nine grandchildren; Jason Taylor Austin, TX, Jeremy Taylor, Sacramento, CA, Justin Taylor, Oklahoma City, OK, Carissa Bias, Oklahoma City, OK, Kylee Hunter, Oklahoma City, OK, Phillip Wiltzius, Chehalis, WA, Katt Wiltzius, Clarkston, WA, Alicia Ambrose, Las Vegas, NV, and Zachary Taylor, Huntsville, AL; and seven great-grandchildren.

Inurnment will be set for future date at Tahoma National Veterans Cemetery, Kent, WA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

• A Joyful Noise Scholarship Fund, Harrison Square Presbyterian Church, 1227 Harrison Ave., Centralia, WA 98531.

• Freedom Through Vigilance Association, PO Box 691616, San Antonio, TX 78269-1616