Obituary of Clifford Vale Taylor

Mr. Clifford Vale Taylor, COL.USAF Retired Mr. Clifford Vale Taylor, age 98 a resident of Ormond Beach, FL. and formerly of Auburndale, Fl. passed away at his residence in Brookdale Ormond Beach West with Halifax Hospice by his bedside and close friends and family. Mr. Taylor was born July 4, 1919 in Detroit, MI to Fred and Hannah (Lundien) Taylor. He was a resident of Ormond Beach for the past few years resident of Auburndale for 16 years coming from Moneta, VA. Colonel Taylor was a veteran of WWII and an Air Force career officer spanning 30 years while seeing duty with the 15th Air Force and participating in air combat in Africa & Europe. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean Conflict and was posted to the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy where he aided in the post-war rebuilding of out N.A.T.O. allies. Then returning to the US where he participated in the US Secret Surveillance & Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile Program subsequent to the Russian Missile Crisis. Prior to retirement, he joined General Electric's Missile & Space Division & retired from there at the completion of the Minuteman Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile Program in 1980. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Air Medal & a Presidential Unit Citation. He was a 32nd degree Mason, Scottish Rite, Shriner, member of Distinguished Flying Cross Society, The Reserve Officers Assoc., The Military Order of World Wars, VFW post 4945, DAV, Assoc. of Air Force Missileers & 2009 outstanding athlete of the Polk Senior Games. He was preceded in death by his wife - Beverly Anna Taylor; former wife - Diane R. Taylor; 3 sisters - Leona Christie, Doris Preston & Marilyn Reade. Colonel Taylor is survived by his loving family; Daughter: Ann F. Matto of Ormond Beach 3 Sons: Randall C. Taylor, Sr. of Jonesville, NC Jeffrey M. Taylor of Windsor, NC Charlie Taylor of Jonesville, NC 3 Grandsons: Randall Taylor, Jr. Aaron Taylor Christian Taylor In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Clifford V. Taylor's name to; Halifax Hospice of Volusia Co., 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL. 32129. A memorial service will be 2 PM Monday, March 12th at Kersey Funeral Home with Military Honors. Inurnment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.