Lonnie Keele Taylor

Lonnie Keele Taylor, Jr., 76, died Wednesday, April 13, 2011, in Abilene. Born in Tyler, Texas on July 23, 1934, he was the son of Vera Edna (Moore) and Lonnie Keele Taylor, Sr. He was a 1951 graduate of Tyler High School and attended Tyler Junior College. Lonnie was a U. S. Air Force veteran, and retired from the Texas Highway Department as a safety officer after a 33-year career. Lonnie married Patsy Ann Seabourn on June 24, 1972 in Tyler, Texas. He was a member of Oldham Lane Church of Christ. He was a Benefactor and Endowment Member of the N.R.A., a lifetime member of the V.F.W., and past member of the American Legion. One son, Jimmy Avery; his parents and sister, Nelda Lee Browning, preceded Lonnie in death. Lonnie is survived by his wife, Patsy Taylor of Abilene; son, Jeffery Alan Avery and wife Donna of San Antonio; granddaughter, Brook Levens; and great-grandson, Tobin Levens. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 16, in The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, with Chris McCurley and Lowell Maxey officiating. Military graveside rites will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 18, in the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene, 7457 W. Lake Road. Visitation will be 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.