Katherine Willis Wright was born on the 15th March 1919 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to parents Dr. Walter E. Wright and Katherine E. Grigsby, and at some point in the next few years, their family would relocate to Bardstown, Kentucky. 

 

Katherine studied Romance Languages at Louisiana State University before marrying a teacher, John W. Taylor. They had a son together, born in 1940. After the induction of her husband into the U.S. Army, Katherine Taylor worked first at WJBO radio station in Baton Rouge and later at Doubleday, Page Publishing Co. in New York City. At some point she joined her husband in Germany, where she secured an unknown civilian position with the MFAA. 

 

Following their return to the United Sates in early 1947, Taylor and her husband relocated to Louisville, Kentucky. John Taylor became President of the University of Louisville until his resignation in 1950. He later held prominent appointments with UNESCO, including Deputy Director General and temporary Acting Director General.  

 

Her marriage with John ended in divorce, and in 1952 she married Arthur Raymond Gunderson in Montgomery, Alabama. Arthur has previously been John Taylor’s public relations officer at the University of Louisville. Arthur worked for the U.S. Information Agency, which led to the couple traveling extensively, including to Japan, Iran, and Mexico.  

 

Katherine Willis Wright Gunderson died on the 18th June 1995 in Riverside County, California. She was buried in the same plot as her parents in Bardstown City Cemetery, Kentucky.  

 

The Foundation is very interested in learning more about Katherine Taylor’s life, as well as her work with the MFAA. If you have any information, please contact abottinelli@monumentsmenfoundation.org.