OBITUARY: Paul Jefferson Taylor, 90, of Burnet dies July 21, 2014

Paul Jefferson “P.J.” Taylor, 90, of Burnet passed away July 21, 2014. He was born in Pettisville, Ohio, on Jan. 10, 1924, to Howard and Elma Taylor.

He graduated from Stryker High School in Ohio in 1941 and entered the Navy shortly thereafter.

After World War II, he was employed with British Guiana Airways, and, in 1949, he joined the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, where he met his wife, Joy. They married there in 1952.

He spend a year in the Korean conflict, and the following six years, they moved to various Air Force bases in the United States while he flew jets in the Air Defense Command and also instructed at numerous bases.

In 1950, they moved to Grand Bahama Island, where he operated a watersports and scuba-diving operation at a resort hotel. He later managed the international airport there.

After welcoming a baby girl into the family, they moved to Burnet and owned and operated the White Auto Store until 1976. He then decided to sell automobiles in Austin, was a parts manager at Fry Motors Inc. and sold real estate for Hanszen Realtors.

During this time, he flew as an Air Force Reserve officer based out of San Antonio, finally retiring from the Air Force in 1984.

More attractive to him than work were his interests in riding his motorcycles, traveling in an RV, fly fishing in Colorado and finally getting to skydive.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Freida Derrer and Grace Robinson; and brother Ralph.

He is survived by his wife, Joy; daughter Lynn Downs and husband Walter; and grandchildren, Austin and Taylor. He also is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

A memorial service is 10 a.m. July 23 at First United Methodist Church in Burnet with the Revs. Stan Troy and L.C. Johnston officiating.

Arrangements by Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 306 Texas 29 East in Burnet, (512) 756-2222. Go to www.clementswilcoxburnet.com to offer condolences.