September 29, 1935 – September 4, 2023
Wayne O Taylor of Mesa, Arizona, passed from this life September 4, 2023, at the age of 87. He was born September 29, 1935, at Masonic Hospital, El Paso, Texas, to Harvey LeRoy Taylor and Della Ann O’Donnal. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Del Roy (Joyce Dansie of Draper, Utah) and Randall Lee (Sondra Merrell of Saratoga Springs, Utah). He deeply loved and was devoted to his family, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his country, the United States of America.
Wayne graduated from Houston Grade School and was a proud graduate of Austin High School. El Paso, Texas, class of 1953. He was a member of the ROTC, Acapella Choir, Drama Club, “A” Club, and the cheerleading squad. He earned four varsity athletic letters and was Captain of the tennis team. He graduated from Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and minors in Economics and Spanish.
Wayne served an honorable church mission in the Mexico, Mexico City Mission.Years later he served as a counselor in the Mexico City South Mission Presidency and as a counselor in the Canada Montreal Mission Presidency. During his life, he served as a bishopric counselor in Miami, Florida and served on the High Council in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and twice in El Paso, Texas. He also earned the Church’s Master M Men Award.
Wayne was a veteran having served honorably in the U.S. Army and in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Wayne married Audrie Hartsfield on June 24, 1960 in the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is survived by sons Wayne Hartsfield (Karen Stephens) of Phoenix, Arizona; Thomas Garth of Mesa, Arizona; Troy Travis (Stacy Watkins) of Yardley, Pennsylvania; nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. After Wayne’s first marriage ended, he married Dr. Brittannia Esther Orizondo Rodaniche in Chandler, Arizona. He is also survived by his former wife Brittannia; step-children Kevin Molino (Jolie Picinich) of Phoenix, Arizona; Brigitte Esther Molino of Mesa, Arizona; Brittannia Tatiana Molino Blanchard of Gilbert, Arizona; Tamara Del Carmen Molino of Scottsdale, Arizona; six step-grandchildren, and four step-great grandchildren.
Wayne started working as a paper boy “stooge” to his Dear Brother Del Roy until he got his own paper route. He and his brother Del Roy had other investments later in life. Wayne clerked at the Texas New Orleans Railroad. He practiced public accounting and was Director of Internal Audit, Farah Manufacturing, El Paso. Texas. He served as FBI Special Agent, Supervisory Special Agent, Assistant Legal Attaché Mexico City, Mexico and Legal Attaché Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. His assignments included San Diego, California; Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Guadalajara. Jalisco, Mexico; Mexico City D.F., Mexico; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; and El Paso, Texas. He retired from the FBI after 25 years of service to his country.
After retiring from the FBI, Wayne served as a consultant for U.S. Department of Justice, International Criminal Investigation Training Program (I.C.I.T.A.P.) in Mexico. Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica. Panama, Columbia. Chile, Peru and Bolivia.
A graveside service will be held for Wayne at Restlawn Memorial Park, 8700 Dyer, El Paso, Texas on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., where he will be buried near his parents. In lieu of flowers, donations in Wayne’s name may be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ General Missionary Fund.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
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