Willie Ray Taylor, affectionately known as"Sonny", was born on December 10, 1945, in Houston, TX as the third child to Rayfield Taylor and Dorothy Jackson-Taylor.

Willie Ray was schooled in Houston Independent School District. After schooling he went onto be a laborer. He was baptized at an early age and attended all youth activities. He never learned how to drive a car but he mastered how to ride an old bike.

In his youth, he met and married Betty and became father, loving and caring for her children, Delores, Debbie, Margie, Pat, Rayfield, Jackie, Sam and John.

After Betty's death in the 80's he married Norma and to this union was born his son, Haylea Taylor. He continued to be father to his first kids with Betty and was honored to become Grandpa from their offspring. Sonny was known as a loving, brother, the fun uncle, a warm father, good friend and was noted as a favorite Uncle. His disposition was welcoming and his smile inviting. He was gentle and pleasant to be around.

Later in life, he met and fell in love with his companion Gladys Marie Lange, who he reunited with after having spent 18 years together. They both spend the last two decades of their lives caring for one another.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, his sister, Gloria Baines, brother, Willie Lee Dotson Jr, and brother Robert Earl Dotson and earlier this year, his companion and enduring Love, Gladys. He leaves to cherish his memory, "Sister" or "Mama" as he called her at the end, Dorothy Fulson. His sister, Rose Wesley in Las Vegas, and his brother, Elton Dwight Dotson (LaThusha Dotson) of Houston, TX. His children with Betty his son Hayleya, his nephew, Carl Whittington, nieces, Chevella Smith and Stephanie Smith, grandkids, and a host of gret nieces and nephews who love and honor his life.