William E. Taylor, better known to most folks as ?Mr. Bill? went to be with his Lord and Savior, Thursday, January 19, 2012 in his home surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Bill was born March 14, 1928 in Fayetteville, Arkansas to William Pierce Taylor and Vera Mae Brewer Taylor. Mr. Bill was 83 years, 10 months and 5 days old. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Waldron, Arkansas.
Mr. Bill began his young life in the United States Navy. He served a tenture on the USS Alabama during WWII after which he received an honorable discharge.
On May 2, 1947 Mr. Bill married the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and the love of his live Ms. Betty. Mr. Bill and Ms. Betty made an earthly life together for 61 years now they are once again joined together.
As a hard working husband and father he provided for his family by working for Waldron Hardwood Company and Big Pine Lumber for many years in Waldron as a lumber inspector. Mr. Bill enjoyed fishing as a hobby. It is no secret that Mr. Bill loved to volunteer his time to help others. Mr. Bill as an upstanding member of the Waldron Masonic Lodge #132 F & AM. As a long time member of the Shriner?s Clown Division, Mr. Bill would travel all across Eastern Oklahoma and the state of Arkansas, tirelessly any time someone would invite him to an event. He became an annual event himself for some. You name it, parades, picnics, anywhere there were going to be children that?s where he would be going. He would load up his go cart and hit the road. When he would arrive, you knew where he was because that?s where the children would be. He would create balloon characters for each and every child who wanted one. He loved to see the children and the excitement in their faces. He stayed as long as the children did. Mr. Bill touched so many lives, even one?s he didn?t know about.
Mr. Bill has made many trips on Friday nights hauling the band instruments for the students in Waldron High School Band to ball games and Saturdays for contests and enjoyed every minute of it.
In June and October Mr. Bill could be found southeast of Waldron on Hwy 250 at Turkey Track. He was a driver of the shuttle bus called Turkey Track Express. He loved the music but the fellowship with the visitors was his forte.
Mr. Bill leaves behind to cherish his memory, one daughter, Diane Epperson and husband Alton of Waldron, Arkansas, one son Billy Taylor and wife Sharon of Natural Dam, Arkansas. Grandpa Bill will forever be missed by four grandchildren, Shawn Epperson and wife Heather of Waldron, Arkansas, Brandon Taylor of Natural Dam, Arkansas, Cheryl Snowden of Van Buren, Arkansas, and Vicki Golden of Coal Hill, Arkansas. The lives of five great grandchildren have also been enriched by Grandpa Bill. Mr. Bill is also survived by one brother, Freddie Taylor of Danville, Arkansas, and three sisters, Betty Lou Covley of Rover, Arkansas, Patsy Moore and Ruth Jacobs both of Broken Bow, Oklahoma.
Mr. Bill is preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by his loving wife and best friend, Ms. Betty, two sisters, Helen Taylor French and Ruby Blackmon, and one brother Troy Gale Taylor.
Mr. Bill?s life celebration will be Monday, January 23, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Pat Ray Biggs officiating. Interment will follow in Square Rock Cemetery near Waldron, Arkansas with Masonic Rites to follow. Arrangements are being entrusted to Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas.
Mr. Bill?s visitation will be Sunday, January 22, 2012 from 2:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas. The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Mr. Bill?s pallbearers will be Shawn Epperson, Brandon Taylor, Harold Scott, Paul Bronson, Judge James Forbes, and Bill Lovett. Honorary pallbearers will be Blue Lodge, Shriner?s and Fort Smith Consistory.