Billy Ray Taliaferro, 91, a resident of Good Samaritan Village in Denton, Texas, since May 2018, died January 2 at Presbyterian Hospital in Denton after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jane McAnally Taliaferro, two sons, a daughter, a bonus son, seven grandchildren, five bonus grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and brother Charles of Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Taliaferro was born at Leon, Oklahoma March 5, 1930.  He was preceded in death by his twin sister Alma Faye in December 1933; and his parents Earnest and Haughty Taliaferro. He and Jane McAnally were married May 15, 1953, in Marietta, Oklahoma.  He served two years in the U.S. Army, honorably discharged as corporal in 1955.

After working in the oil field supply business for several years across Oklahoma and Texas, Taliaferro spent most of his career in public education, serving as a teacher and elementary school principal at Windthorst and Archer City, Texas.  He retired from Archer City Public Schools in 1996.  A graduate of Leon High School he earned degrees from Murray Junior College, Tishomingo, Oklahoma, and Southeastern State University, Durant, Oklahoma.

Surviving family members include son Richard Stephen Taliaferro and wife Lisa, Poquoson VA.; son Alan Ray Taliaferro and wife Ellen, Dish TX; daughter Lisa Marie Schlomach and husband Carlton, Haslet TX; plus bonus-son Danny Sutton and wife Inez, Mansfield TX.

Grandchildren are: Angela Taliaferro and husband Dag Ødegaard, Lierskogen, Norway; Sarah Taliaferro, El Sobrante CA; Kyle Taliaferro and wife Kendra, McKinney TX; Wes Taliaferro and wife Lauren, Carrollton TX; Benjamin Schlomach and wife Katy, New Braunfels TX; Lauren Schlomach, Decatur TX; and Kelley Schlomach, Ft Worth TX.

Taliaferro was devoted to his family and found special joy returning often to the family farm in Leon, Oklahoma.  In Archer City, he was active in church and community activities including Meals on Wheels, Archer Service Center, and Archer City Thrift Store.

Taliaferro was a member of the United Methodist Church, most recently Asbury United Methodist Church in Denton. Visitation will commence at 10:00 am January 8, 2022. A memorial service follows at 11:00 am in Asbury United Methodist Church sanctuary.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church, 117 Hercules Lane, Denton TX 76207 or a charity of your choice.