James W. Taylor

James W. Taylor, 86, of Orange, died, Saturday, November 3, 2007, at Harbor Hospital in Orange.
Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, November 8, 2007, at First Church of the Nazarene. Officiating will be his pastor, Reverend Steve Vaughn of First Church of the Nazarene.
Visitation will be 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
Burial will be in Autumn Oaks Cemetery in Orange.
Mr. Taylor, a native of Ida, LA, formerly of Shreveport, LA, was a Graduate of Fair Park High School in 1940. He attended college in Natchitoches, LA, on a Football Scholarship.
He served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force during WWII. Serving in China, Burma and India, mostly in China under General Claire L. Chennault, also a LA native, commanding the 14th Flying Tiger Air Force.
He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, The Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. Three major campaign battle stars and made an honorary member of the Chinese Nationalist Air Force.
Mr. Taylor lived in Orange since 1954 and was a retired Pipefitter from L.U. 195. He was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of Madison Lodge 126, The Shreveport Consistory, El Karubah Shrine Temple, since 1921, The American Legion Post 49 and VFW Post 2775, since 1954.
Survivors include daughter, Linda Bonner of Shreveport, LA, stepsons, Terry Barfield and wife Susan, Wayne Barfield and wife Diane, all of Jackson, MS, grandchildren, James Damon Taylor, Magic Fay Ralston and husband Johnny, of Orange, Kenny Willoughby and wife Lisa of Jackson, MS, and Steven Bryce Ralston, great grandson of Orange. Several cousins and nephews and nieces in the Ida, Shreveport and Orange areas. Also his dearest life long friend Mrs. Melba Jean Morris of Shreveport.
Memorials may be made to the First Church of the Nazarene, Orange, TX or the Shrine Hospitals for Crippled Children or the donors choice.