Billy Joe "B.J." Taylor

June 17, 1932 - May 3, 2016

Billy Joe “B.J.” Taylor went to his heavenly home May 3, 2016. Born to Kenneth William and Velma Cleta (Lowery) Taylor in Aquapaw, Oklahoma on June 17, 1932, B.J. would have celebrated his 84th birthday this Father’s Day weekend. He was proceeded in death by both parents, his step-father, Lawrence (Larry) Frelinger of Salinas, CA, younger brother Richard (Bud) Taylor of Yuma, AZ and his wife of 42 years, Yvonna Earlene (Waltman) Taylor, who passed in September 2000. Arriving in CA in 1946 from Oklahoma, Billy Joe graduated from Salinas Union High School on June 7, 1951. Billy Joe’s military service included the summer of 1950, where he was stationed at Camp San Luis Obispo, CA as a tank gunner; June – September 1951 in Ft. Knox, KY where he completed the Reconnaissance Leader Course at The Armored School as a Private First Class for the United States Army. Billy Joe went on to serve in the Korean War as a Sergeant in the Department of the Army as a Radio Traffic Analyst for the Army Security Agency until receiving an Honorable Discharge in June 1955. Decorations include: National Defense Svc. Medal, Korean Svc. Medal w/ one Bronze star, U.N. Service Medal and Meritorious Unit Commendation. Married to Yvonna Earlene Waltman at Bolsa Knolls Baptist Church in Salinas, CA on August 9, 1958, the couple made their home in San Luis Obispo & Santa Margarita, CA from 1960-1964 where they were members of Foothill Baptist Church, San Luis Obispo, CA. From 1964-1978, the Taylors lived in Atascadero, CA where they were members of the First Southern Baptist Church. They moved to San Jose, CA in June 1978, where Foxworthy Baptist Church became their home. Billy Joe “B.J.” was a long-time employee of the Southern Pacific Railroad in San Luis Obispo, CA where he was a Brakeman-Conductor until moving to San Jose, CA where he worked for Amtrak until his retirement in 1994. Christ first, family and friends second, B.J. made friends wherever he went with many becoming life- long friends and considered family. Character, honesty, truthfulness and integrity were among the many traits that he passed down to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with the importance of a Christ centered life and the love of family and friends. Life activities include: Eagle Scout for Boy Scouts of America, member of the San Luis Obispo Barber Shop singers, lay-pastor for the Southern Baptist Convention, insurance agent, shop owner, land lord, real estate agent…just to name a few. B.J. had a love for life that affected all he met and everything he did. He is survived by his sister, Phyllis (Taylor-Hampton) Munoz of Oroville, CA; his four children: William Joseph (B.J.) Taylor of Oroville, CA; Clarissa Lorraine (Lorrie Taylor-McCutcheon) Wentzel and son-in-law, Ryan Wentzel of Bend, OR; Lawrence Mitchell (Mitch) Taylor of Oroville, CA; and Kenneth Christian (Ken) Taylor of San Jose, CA; grandchildren: Isaac McCutcheon, Shannon & James Taylor, Tammy (Wentzel-Stephens) Ottmar and Jeremy, Elise & Sara Taylor; great-grandchildren: Brian Stephens and Julia & Luke McCutcheon… along with many extended family members and close friends. A Home Going Celebration will be held Friday, June 10 at 11:00 AM at Foxworthy Baptist Church in San Jose, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Children’s Ministry of Foxworthy Baptist Church. We hope and pray that as many of you that have been touched by his life will be able to attend. Remember: “There’s always room for one more at the Taylors!”