Funeral services for Merrill Taylor, 28, who was electrocuted on Thursday February 2, at 4:00 p.m. of Mohave, California, were held Tuesday Feb 7th in the North Ward chapel and Stake house.
He was working on an electrical transmission tower between 75 and 100 feet high, tying the last wire at the end of the line, when an induced current from a high power line thirty feet away caused an electric current ot pass through his body, causing his death.
Merrill was born on April 19, 1922 at Fairview, Wyo. the son of Mr and Mrs Clarence Taylor. He spent most of his life in Afton where he attended grade school and graduated from the Star Valley High School. Shortly after graduating he was called for military service. He attended school at the U.S.A.C. at Logan where he specialized in Air Corps mechanics. He was an Air Crew Chief in the Air Corps for three years. Two years were spent over seas, where he earned six battle stars, a foreign ribbon and a meritorious citation. He had many harrowing experiences while overseas and none but those who have gone through a siege of warfare can describe them.
When he returned from overseas he started to work for an electric power and light company as an electrician and for the past four years he has worked almost continuously at various projects as a lineman.
He was married to Norma Robinson in October 1946, at Wollf Point Montana. He is survived by his wife and three children, Carolyn, Jed and a baby, Lila Irene; his parents Mr and Mrs Clarence Taylor, five brothers and sisters; Mrs Rose Wray and Mrs La Nea Allred of Afton, Mrs Dora Martindale of Logan, Utah, and Ralph and Claire Taylor of Afton and a grandmother, Mrs Frank Taylor of Afton.
Funeral services were held under the supervision of the Osmond Ward bishopric with Bp. Leslie Erickson conducting.
Prayer in the home by Leslie Harrison
Processional and Recessional music: Ressa Chadwick.
Opening Prayer: Bp. Reynold Robinson
Vocal Duet: "Sometime He'll Make It Plain", Alta Sanderson.
Walter Brower, accompanied by Mrs Dick Luthi.
Remarks: Bp Leslie Erickson.
Vocal Solo: by Lorraine Barber, "In The Garden" accompanied by Mrs Max Robinson.'
1st Speaker: Bp. John L Metcalf.
Vocal Duet: Elaine Child and Nedra Stock, "Lay My Head Beneath a Rose", accompanied by Mrs Max Robinson.
2nd Speaker: Carl Robinson
Vocal Duet: Genevieve Johns and Beulah Croft, "Whispering Hope" accompanied by Ressa Chadwick.
3rd Speaker: Bp Vaughn Taylor of Preston Idaho, an uncle of Merrill.
Remarks: Alda Gardner.
Vocal Duet: Mr and Mrs James Gomm, "O Promise Me" accompanied by Ressa Chadwick.
Prayer: Milford Gardner.
Grave dedicated by Von Allred.
The profusion of flowers that banked the rostrum and flag draped casket were carried by cousins and Relief Society ladies. The large wreath of gardenias was carried by two friends of Merrill. The wreath was from the friends and fellow workmen of California whom Merrill had been working with for the past four years.
Pall bearers were Ralph and John Brown, Tom Williamson, Rex and Garr Robinson and Loy Martindale.
Ralph and John Brown accompanied the body from California to Afton.
Military honors were rendered by member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Taylor, Merrill (2 Feb 1950) (1-3)Star Valley Independent

Merrill W. TAYLOR is the son of Clarence TAYLOR and Viona Oletha WILLIAMSON
Spouse: Living