Born in Denton, Texas,[1] Taylor's father, William M. Taylor, was an attorney who would go on to serve on the Supreme Court of Texas.
He was a Reserve Captain in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, from 1944 to 1945, again returning to private practice in Dallas from 1946 to 1949.
He was a judge of the 134th District Court of Dallas County, Texas from 1949 to 1953.
[1] On June 28, 1966, Taylor was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas vacated by Judge Thomas Whitfield Davidson.
Taylor was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 22, 1966, and received his commission the same day.