Steve began his life journey with parents, William Ade and Dorothy Hampton Rathbun, on a farm in Indiana. He graduated from Brook High School.
Steve's childhood was filled with dreams of joining the United States Army as an adult. His birthday and Christmas lists were always for military toys, military books or guns. Steve served his country but was given an honorary medical discharge due to an eye disorder.
His parents knew Steve was to be an avid reader after purchasing encyclopedias for the family. Two of his friends were building forts with the books while Steve was in the corner reading them. He loved being in his bedroom playing the trumpet (usually the "Taps") or reading.
Steve worked as a Volkswagen mechanic while attending Northeastern State University. His degree was in psychology. He moved to Bakersfield, California in 1980 and returned to Oklahoma in 1997 to help on the family ranch. Steve loved God, family, church family, and friends. His heart was big as were his bear hugs for everyone he greeted.
Steve was preceded in death by his grandparents, Grant and Flossie Williams Hampton, and James and Nell Rathbun; his parents, Bill and Dorothy Rathbun; and his sister, Linda Jean Rathbun. At a later date, a graveside service will be held at Fairlawn Cemetery in Kentland, Indiana.
Willford Cassaday Taylor of Cocoa Beach, FL died at home.
He was the son of Willford and Marjorie Taylor, grew up in Bethesda, MD, was a graduate of Bethesda-Chevy Chase High & Lafayette College, was a WWII U.S. Marine Corps veteran and retired from the CIA.
Surviving are his wife of 68 years, Esther L Marron Taylor (married 1944); sons, Brent (Kathy) and Randy (Bonnie); 4 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home on January 22, 2013.