Willie James Taylor

Willie James (Big Foots) Taylor was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, and March 29, 1944, the son of James R. and Alta Mae Taylor, and departed this life at home an August 4, 2011, at the age of 67. Services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday in the Eastside Church of Christ with Brother ArLouis McDowell officiating. Interment will be in the Henderson Harris Cemetery under the direction of Bailes-Polk Funeral Home. He began his education at Douglass School and graduated from Duncan High School. He married his grade school sweetheart, Elsie Thrash, on August 12, 1963. Five daughters were born to this union. "Big Foots" lived his entire life in Duncan. He retired from Halliburton Services on September 5, 1987, after 23 years as a lathe operator. He also worked at Battison Auto Center for over 20 years. He served two years in the Duncan Auxiliary Police Department. He was an entrepreneur, operating several small businesses, including a used car lot, a barbeque restaurant, a janitorial service, and an auto detail shop. He assisted in coaching his grandsons' Little League football and baseball teams. He was baptized at the 2nd and Magnolia Church of Christ in 1964 with his baby sister. He was a faithful member of the Church who loved the Lord. He loved his family and friends and they loved him. His hobbies included restoring old cars, fishing with his grandsons, singing, and reading his Bible. His special love was commiserating with his brothers. He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Elsie, his mother, Alta Mae, his father, James, sister, Charlene Franklin, three infant brothers, and a great-grandson, Tayzon Smith. He is survived by his five loving daughters and three sons-in-law, Teresa and Milton Bowens, Chickasha, OK; Lisa Simmons and Carol Taylor, Duncan, OK; Stephanie and William, Manassas, VA; Willie Jean and Hector Spann, Duncan, OK; a special loving son, Cody Stockton; his mother-in-law, Metha Mitchell, Tatums, OK; his godparents, the Moores, Tulsa, OK; three brothers and sisters-in-law, LeRoy and Michelle Taylor, Donald and Debra Taylor, Duncan, OK; and Mike and Mae Taylor, Oklahoma City, OK; a sister, Colleen Calvin, Bowie, MD; 14 grandchildren, Kamron and Kambre Smith, Milton Bowens, Jr.; Diaz Taylor, Orie and Whitney Simmons, Brittney Taylor-Norwood, Marcus and Darion Yates, Antonio Taylor, Alex, Malachi, Cailup, and Ciara Spann; 16 great-grandchildren, Lyric, Aaliaya, Kamryn, Tashane, and Kamryn, Tashane, and Kamron Smith, Zarria Bowens, Sophia and Keranna Fu, Aundrea and Marqua Taylor, Orieanna, Aniya, and Ayahno Simmons, lsaiah and Milan Yates, many nieces and nephews, and a host of relatives and friends.