Aug. 9, 1967 - July 28, 2012
Retired Maj. Apryle Michelle Taylor, U.S. Air Force, 44, of El Segundo, Calif., and a longtime resident of Niceville, Fla., passed away comfortably in her home on July 28, 2012.
She was born and raised in Lancaster, daughter of Charles Cook May of Robertsdale and Linda Lee May of Lancaster.
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Surviving are her parents; her husband, Air Force Lt. Col. Jason T. Taylor; two children: Austin and Julia of El Segundo, Calif.; two sisters: Shana May and Charlene Weitzel, both of Lancaster; and a brother, Charles May Jr. of Robertsdale.
After graduating from McCaskey High School in 1985, Apryle enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as an airman basic. Rising in rank to staff sergeant, she served in various personnel, protocol and enlisted aide positions at Royal Air Force Upper Heyford in England, Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, Langley AFB in Virginia and Elmendorf AFB in Alaska.
Apryle separated active duty in 1998 to attend Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, where she received a B.A. degree in political science and a commission from Air Force ROTC Detachment 643. Her assignments as an officer included service in operational, research and development, and contingency contracting positions at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio, Kadena Air Base in Japan and Eglin AFB in Florida.
She also deployed to several locations throughout the Middle East, most notably Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Throughout her distinguished 21-year career, into her retirement, and until her passing, she remained a proud member of the Air Force contracting community.
During the course of Apryle's five-year battle with brain cancer, she was a constant source of strength and confidence and was truly an inspiration to everyone around her. In addition to being a brilliant Air Force officer, she was a loving wife and mother and a dear friend.
Apryle will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C., with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Apryle's name to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
