Wayne Norris Taylor

Wayne Norris Taylor was born October 21, 1931, and died at home July 2, 2024, at 92 years of age. He was born to James and Ida Alice Burnett Taylor in Friona, Texas. The family returned to the family farm in rural Payne County, Oklahoma when Wayne was a baby. He attended Clayton School and graduated from Perkins High School. He married Lois L. Etheridge Taylor August 30, 1951, at Eden Chapel. They left for Granada, Colorado just days after the wedding where they began their life together. Wayne and Lois returned to the family farm in rural Payne County after a couple of years in Colorado. Together they had four children, Robert, Cindy, Dana and Jane.

Wayne was a man who spent his life working with his hands and remained connected to the land his entire life; first as a dairyman and farmer and later as a bulldozer operator. He reshaped much of rural Payne County as the man behind those tracks and powerful blade clearing timber, digging ponds and terracing the land to preserve the topsoil. Wayne could repair or rebuild any piece of equipment in need of a fix; he was extraordinary in his understanding of how mechanical things worked and generous in passing that knowledge along or helping others fix their equipment.

Wayne was a straightforward no-frills man. He found enjoyment in gathering with family and friends and truly never met a stranger. Wayne held his family and friends dear and close; he had a core group of men who had been friends since childhood. Each had taken different life paths, but they gathered regularly during the decades, usually at Wayne’s invitation. He loved nothing more than to make a freezer of ice cream and have the neighbors over.

Wayne, along with his brother Oney, founded Taylorsville in 1985 as a rustic event venue harkening back to the time of their youth. Taylorsville hosted countless reunions, weddings and parties through the years. For Wayne, its real purpose was providing a place for people to gather and celebrate, touchstones of his life. In his later life, Wayne worked faithfully in Eden Chapel Church’s Love Bears ministry; he worked weekly in the Love Bears ministry up to his death.

 Wayne is survived by children and spouses Robert H. and Katherine Taylor of Perkins, Oklahoma, Cindy L. Taylor of Perkins, Oklahoma, Dana Taylor Smith of Oklahoma City, Jane A. and Michael Parra of Orange, California, grandchildren Clinton and Melissa Taylor, Clayton Smith, Charles and Michelle Taylor, Kathryn and Michael Austin Prickett, David Parra, great grandchildren Olivia and Bailey Taylor, Henry and Reed Smith, Harrison and Ruth Taylor, Marshall and August Prickett, sisters-in-law Cleo Taylor and Merle Taylor and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Wayne was preceded in death by 14 days by Lois, his wife of 72 years, his parents James and Ida Taylor, sister and brother-in-law Norma Lea and Jack Morgan, brothers Dale B. Taylor and Oney E. Taylor.

In keeping with Wayne’s wishes, a graveside service will be held at Glenwood Cemetery, Perkins, Oklahoma, July 5, 2024, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests you consider a memorial contribution to Karman Legacy Hospice of Stillwater, Oklahoma who lovingly cared for Wayne and supported his family in the final days of life.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com.