Roy Ann Elizabeth Noel Taylor was born Dec. 24 1944, in Shelton, Washington to Betty (Cure) and Lee Roy (Happy) Taylor. She was the fourth of five daughters. She died, very unexpectedly, in Prescott, Arizona on July 30, 2024, at the age of 79.
She graduated from Wishkah High School in 1963 and immediately went to work for ITT Rayonier at Camp 14, in Amanda Park as a flunky and later as Second Cook. She left Rayonier in 1986 and bought the Levee Street Restaurant in Hoquiam the same year. She ran it very successfully for 10 years, with the help of her sister Dinah Sue and brother-in-law Jim Wrey. In 1996 she sold to retire.
She eventually bought the building back and Jim Wray re-modeled it into two residences. Roy Ann lived upstairs and Dinah and Jim lived downstairs. They took turns hosting their famous potluck “Friday Nights” for family and friends! So many happy memories and the BEST food ever!
When Dinah and Jim had a house built in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, Roy Ann bought the other half of the duplex and split her time between Zihua and Hoquiam! She loved to share her slice of Mexico with friends and family. Eventually, life lead the trio to Prescott, Arizona. Roy Ann sold the Levee Street houses and moved there permanently. Wherever she lived, Roy Ann was welcoming her people with open arms and full cups. She had a smile that lit up a room, a laugh you could never forget and she was one of the most genuine, loving and generous people to ever walk this earth.
Roy Ann was married to Bill Cooper for 9 years. She is survived in life by her sisters Jigger Davis, Dixie Lee Travis and Dinah Sue Wrey; her step-children Diana Burbaker, Johanne Garner and Michael Cooper; nieces and nephews Mary Christiansen, Dara DiBiase, Shari Bigalk, Jennifer Travis, Amanda Silva and Michael Wrey, Dale, Donald and Daniel Davis, and William Northup as well as several great-nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by both of her parents, a baby sister, Aunt Helen Alberta Taylor, her niece Bonnie Jean Wrey and her long time partner and the love of her life, Barney Ridder.
There will be an internment at the Lake Quinault Cemetery at a later date.
