Wayne Monroe Pickler, age 94, of Taylor, Arkansas, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, September 24, 2014. Mr. Pickler was the son of Mr. and Mrs. G.T. Pickler of Taylor, youngest of eleven siblings.

He graduated from Taylor High School in 1938. Wayne married Murrah Griffin January 24, 1940. They celebrated 74 years of life together. He always said the secret to a long and happy marriage came down to two words, "Yes, Dear." It worked well for him throughout the years.

He worked at the Paper Mill for 44 cents an hour becoming a pulpwood subcontractor later. He had various jobs including cattleman and tree farmer.

Wayne volunteered for the Navy Construction Battalion and was soon promoted to Machine Mate 1st Class serving in World War II in Guam. He was a member of the VFW.

He was a strong supporter of Taylor High School attending many sporting events. He enjoyed watching sports of all kinds on television.

As a member of Taylor United Methodist Church, he joined in 1948 and continued to serve faithfully. He held various offices. At the time of his death, he was District Steward.

He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved his family and Taylor. Even though he worked away from Taylor, he always found his way back home.

Before setbacks with blindness, hip fracture, and other medical problems, he was very active. He especially enjoyed the Woodchoppers-Good Sams Club, enjoying fellowship, traveling, and camping.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Murrah; daughters, Patricia Pickler of Taylor; Paula Hadwin and husband, Larry, of Minden; grandson, Heath Hadwin and wife, Leslie, of Haughton; and great-grandchildren, Jordan and Cooper Hadwin of Haughton; a very special niece, Nora Corcoran of Taylor; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters, Kilmer Pickler, Lydia Watts, Willie Dean Horn, Elizabeth Stuart, Vesta Clements, John Thomas Pickler, Abi Hughes, Goode Pickler, Margaret Knight, and Eddie Pickler.

The family would like to thank Grace Harden, Betty Lawson, Marilyn Harden, and Clara Jameson for their special care of Wayne in his final weeks of life.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2014 at Taylor United Methodist Church with Bro. Spencer Plumley officiating under the direction of Smith Funeral Homes of Stamps, AR. Interment will follow at Taylor Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, September 26, 2014 at Taylor United Methodist Church. Online registration is available at www.aosmithfuneralhome.com.