Born in Chicago. Attended University of Michigan and Harvard. Received B.A. from George Washington University in 1938. Married to Margaret McMullen who died 1/4/1971. They had a daughter.

In 1941 Failor went to Nome, Alaska, to take delivery of $6 million in Russian gold. Served in U. S. Navy 1942 to 1945. With National Recovery Administration.

Began work at the mint in 1936. In 1949 he served as assistant to Nellie Taylor Ross, Director of the Mint. Chief of the Coin Management Division. In 1967 he served as executive director of the Joint Commission on the Coinage. He retired in 1967 after 30 years service with the mint. Author with Eleonora Hayden of Medals of the United States Mint in 1969.

He died in Scottsdale, Arizona.

obit: Washington Post 4/18/05