Macon Telegraph -- Funeral arrangements are pending for Marine Cpl. William G. "Billy" Taylor, who was killed Wednesday in a firefight in Fallujah. Snow's Memorial Chapel on Pio Nono Avenue is handling the service.

Taylor, 27, a member of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, was one of two Marines killed during a gun battle. He died from a gunshot that went through a small gap in his Kevlar vest.

Taylor's father, also named William Taylor, is a civilian worker at Robins Air Force Base. The elder Taylor said the base is planning a ceremony for his son.

"He was a very good boy," Taylor said of his son. "He loved life. I was really blown away when he joined the Marines. I was proud of him. I'll never get over losing him."

Taylor has plenty of good memories of his son.

"He was an artist," his father said. "He painted. He loved life. Everybody loved him. He was full of energy.

"I remember when he was 10 and going to church and studying religion, something he said to me. He said, 'Dad, life is just a test; if you pass the test and make good grades, you go to heaven.' That really got to me."