Byron Taylor

Byron Taylor, 81, of Kansas City, died Wednesday of complications following surgery. He was born in Mecca, MO in 1925, attended school in Grayson and Gower, and honorably served in the US Navy during World War II. After his discharge, he attended Kansas City University, Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia, and Ball State University, and received a Masters of Library Science.

Byron was a librarian for the U S Civil Service, holding posts at the Command & General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, RAF Lakenheath, England, Kincheloe AFB, MI, and Whiteman AFB, Knob Noster, MO. He retired in 1982.

His friends and family will remember him for his love of antique furniture and collectibles, his sharp wit, his infuriating ability to recall useless trivia, and his liberal use of the phrase “nuttier than a fruitcake.” He loved us all and he will be missed.

Byron was an elder and deacon in the Presbyterian Church, USA and an active member of Westport Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by Bettie, his wife of 57 years, three children, Bruce (Jo Anne) of Mounds View, MN, Sherida (Tom) of Silvana, WA, and Mark (Janet) of Livonia, MI, seven grandchildren, two sisters, Carlyn Carson (Russell) and Verna Jackson (Jim), and many dear friends.

Services will be held at Westport Presbyterian Church, 201 Westport Road, Kansas City on Sunday, March 11 at 3 PM. Friends may visit the family one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the church.

Cremation and private inurnment .