James Lee Taylor

James Lee Taylor, 92, passed from this mortal life into the loving arms of his eternal sweetheart on December 23, 2025. He left this earth surrounded by family and stepped through the veil into the biggest family reunion possible. He may still be complaining about all the laughing, hugging, and “noise”. We think he will adjust. During his passing, he repeatedly had only one word to say, “Momma”. When she came through to take his out reached hand, there was such joy on his face.

Jim was born February 25, 1933, in Bement, Illinois, to George W. and Florence Edna Meadows Taylor. He was raised in the area of Terre Haute, Indiana. Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1953, serving in Korea. After his release from the service, he worked on a seismograph drilling crew in the Panguitch area, where he was introduced to Sybil Woodard. That was the beginning of their forever love story. To say that they were obsessed with one another may not be strong enough. They were each other’s worlds. The rest of us were simply bit players.

Jim and Sybil were married on April 29, 1956, in Fredonia, Arizona. Three daughters were born from their love for one another: Cindy, Suzanne, and Deborah.

Jim worked in the local timber industry as a truck driver, mechanic, superintendent, and mill manager. During that time, he made many friends and earned the respect of the men he worked with. He was a perfectionist, and all things had to be done the “Jim Taylor” way.

Jim was a talented mechanic with the ability to fix anything. That talent led him to Panaca, Nevada, where he worked for Jim Wilkin Trucking. Jim and Sybil loved their time in Nevada, and considered Jim Wilkin and family as their family.

Jim became ill in 2006, requiring a liver transplant. He understood the gravity of the gift he had been given. From that point on, he lived for that liver. Sybil nursed and loved him well beyond the normal years of a transplant recipient. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living transplant recipient in the country.

Jim and Sybil loved to travel and explore. He would meticulously plan out their adventures in a big old Rand McNally Road Atlas. We could not plan a trip without running it past Dad. He would tell you where to go and how to get there, the “Jim Taylor” way. He never steered you wrong. Jim and Sybil—On the Road Again!

Jim is survived in death by daughters, Cindy Stewart, Suzanne (Burton) Honey, and Deborah Taylor; 10 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Sybil Woodard Taylor; grandsons, Jefferey Stewart and Jimmy Stewart; son-in-law, Kyle Stewart; siblings, Grace Taylor, Esther Nipple, Dorothy Riolo, Verna Moke, William “Bill” Taylor, and Shirley Higgins; and parents, George Taylor and Florence Edna Meadows.

Graveside Services and Interment will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the Panguitch Cemetery with Military Honors.
Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina, and Manti

An online guestbook and livestreaming can be found on www.maglebymortuary.com