Virgil Wilbur Taylor

Virgil W. Taylor
Virgil W. Taylor, a long-time Salem resident, passed away peacefully at the age of 98 on the evening of Jan. 15 with family members by his side.
Virgil was born in Council Bluff, IO on 11/11/1916. His family moved often and as a young boy he acquired the nickname of Tuffy. This nickname was to serve him well for the rest of his life as he proved to be a strong, honest and courageous man.
After high school, Virg joined his older brother, Bim, and worked in the gold mines of Deadwood, S. Dakota. He was saving money for school to become an accountant but was interrupted by the call of military service.
He joined the Navy in 1936 and his first assignment was as a machinist's mate aboard the USS California which was later stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where on Dec. 7, 1941 his ship was sunk. Virg was forced to jump into the fiery waters of the harbor where he was rescued. Even though he lived to tell the story, his mother was notified that he had been killed in action, which caused quite a stir when he returned home.
Virg spent 20 years in the Navy working in the engine rooms of various ships and again on the restored the USS California.
After retiring in 1956, Virg held many jobs around the US and settled in Salem working in heating and refrigeration at the Oregon State Penitentiary and eventually retired from the State of Oregon.
Virg met and married his first wife, Elsie, after WW2 and they had two children, Gary and Penney.
They later divorced and he subsequently met and married Gloria and acquired a step-son, Robert, and a step-daughter, Christine. Virgil and Gloria (or GG as he affectionately liked to call her) lived peacefully and happily until her death in March, 2010.
Virgil was a man of integrity with a zest for life and a wonderful sense of humor. He loved his family and always put them first. He has many friends and was loyal and steadfast. Virg was a simple man who lived his life well. He did not look for honors but his friends were honored to be his friend.
Virg is survived by his son, Gary (wife Deb); daughter Penney, step-son Robert; step-daughter Christine (husband Jerry); grandsons Paul and Nick (wife Juliette) and Chris; granddaughters Kelli (husband George), and Claire and Sara; and 3 great grandchildren, Julian, Jade and Lilli.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tokarski Home in Salem (a part of Willamette Valley Hospice) whose compassionate care made all the difference in the world to the comfort and peace of Virg and his family in his passing.