J. William “Bill” Taylor
Dec. 28, 1918 – April 25, 2009

On April 25, 2009, Bill Taylor — a loving husband, father and grandfather — passed into the Lord’s hands, after a short illness at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, Wash.

Bill, 90, was born in Friday Harbor, Wash., on Dec. 28, 1918, the only child of Jesse Taylor and Dorothy (Houlton) Taylor.

Bill grew up in Friday Harbor, Wash., graduating with the Class of 1939. Recovery from brain surgery in 1937 that arose from injuries suffered in a car crash when he was 10 prevented his entry into the armed services in World War II. During the war, Bill worked for Sears and Pan American Airways in Seattle, Wash. After the war, he returned to Friday Harbor to work in the Friday Harbor Fish Cannery.

It was in Friday Harbor that he met his wife of nearly 63 years, Patricia, who had recently moved there from Duluth, Minn. Bill and Pat were married on July 21, 1946. To this marriage their two sons were born: James in September 1947, and Paul in December 1950.

Bill is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Patricia; and sons, James (Jim) Taylor and wife, Susanne, and Paul Taylor and his two daughters, Jennifer and Kathy.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Allen United Methodist Church, 16775 Allen West Road, Bow, Wash., followed by a reception in the Church Reception Room. Memorials may be made to the Allen Methodist Church or to Meals on Wheels.

Directions from Anacortes: Take SR 20 east to I-5, enter northbound I-5; take exit 231 to Chuckanut Drive northbound, go north about 3 miles, take a left on Allen West Road, go about 1/4 mile. The church is on the right. Estimated time: 28 minutes; estimated distance: 20.32 miles.

— The J. William “Bill” Taylor family