Clifford Taylor

Clifford Taylor, age 87, of Erie passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at UPMC Hamot.

He was born in Erie on December 31, 1925, the son of Norma Wright Taylor and Clifford M. Taylor. He married Helen Clemens on August 27, 1948. He graduated from Millcreek Class of “44” enlisted in the Army Air Corp. Cadet Program and flew 50 combat missions as a tail gunner on B-24 Liberators with the 780th Sqdn. 465th Bomb Grp. 15th AAF where he obtained the rank of S/Sgt. He was awarded 3 Air Medals, 4 Battle Stars, 2 Presidential Unit Citations and earned an Expert Carbine Medal. He worked for 40 years at GTE in the crafts and many management positions. He was an Elder and Deacon in the Presbyterian Church and taught at Sunday Schools. He believed it important to give back to the Community.

He served on the boards of 17 Charitable and Civic organizations during his lifetime. Some of these were the Erie Chapter of the American Red Cross where he served as Chairman of the Service to Military Families Committee, the Corry Chapter of the Red Cross including two terms as Chapter Chairman where he was honored as a Life Time Director. He also served on the Westmoreland County Mental Health Association, Kiski Vally United Fund, Vandergrift Salvation Army, Vandergrift YMCA and was a past Vice President of Gifts for Kids in Erie. He and his wife Helen were the Co-Directors of the West Millcreek Food Pantry from 1988 through 2010.

He most recently became a member of Belle Valley Presbyterian Church Choir. Throughout his life God brought him through many near death situations.

He was preceded in death by his wife of over 62 years Helen Clemens Taylor, a sister Lucile Tipton, a grandson Christopher Miler and great grandsons Tyler Powierza and Trevor Millimaci.

He is survived by daughter, Cheryl Kendzior (husband Stan), daughter, Leslie Sickles (husband David), son, Michael Taylor (wife Sharon), grandchildren, Jeff Hamilton (Julie), Vickie Brown (Kris), Valerie Millimaci (Ryan), Patrick Miller and Katie Miller, Christian and Will Taylor, great-grandchildren, Kayla and Kendra Altadonna, Taylor and Andrew Brown and Brooklyn Quint, brothers, David, Dean and Mark Taylor, and sister, Bonnie Seery. Brothers-in-law, John Clemens and Kenneth Rehm and many nieces and nephews also survive.

Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home 602 West 10th Street on Saturday from 2 to 5 pm and 7 to 9 pm and Sunday from 11am until the time of services with the Rev. Dave Edmunds and Rev. Vickie Brown officiating.

Menmorials may be made to the Second Harvest Food Bank 1507 Grimm Drive Erie, PA 16503.

Send condolences at www.Burtonfunerlahome.com <http://www.Burtonfunerlahome.com>.