William Harold Taylor Biography William Harold Taylor was born to Luella B Wyble Taylor & Joseph David Taylor on September 8, 1931 in Washington D.C. "Billy", as he was called by his family in his younger days, was a bouncing baby boy, the 5th of eight children born into the Taylor family. Life in the tenements was very tough on the large family. Hardships abound. Billy moved with his mother, brother and sisters to California to be closer to relatives when he was eleven years old. The oldest siblings went to live with relatives first, then Billy, and the rest of the family followed. The trip to the west coast was very long, often taking delays to earn more money to continue the journey. Billy was always contributing money he earned to help his family. He started earning money from odd jobs at a very young age to help keep the family going. Among the jobs he did was delivering newspapers, running errands for businessmen around town, caring for animals, fixing anything that was broken, and later mechanical jobs on tractors and autos. Bill's mother met and married a wonderful man, Clifford Evans, who became like a father to him. Even though his mom and step father also worked several jobs, it was hard to make ends meet, so Bill dropped out of the 8th grade to be able to take jobs that would bring in more money to help his family. Bill moved with his mother and step father to Bend Oregon where they operated a small dairy farm owned by Cliff's ailing aunt. Bill worked with his step father on the farm for a year before deciding to join the Air Force. He even then sent a portion of his wages home to help. Bill joined the U.S. Air Force, hoping to be working as a mechanic, a vocation he knew well and was good at, but his first assignment was recording clerk with the Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron that was in charge of checking air quality after the U.S. dropped bombs in the desserts of the U.S. His squadron flew to and landed in every state of the United States except Maine, where they gathered air samples to be tested. After earning his G.E.D. with the Air Force, he was sent to Korea during the Korean War. He was the Squadron Records Clerk in charge of the upkeep and processing of airmen's records, incoming and outgoing, and then also assumed the additional duties of the Rotation Clerk. "Airman First Class Taylor" received several Commendations for the outstanding work and thorough organization he brought to his squadron, often doing the work of several people. As Squadron Records Clerk, he recalled many trips he drove official paperwork and mail across the frozen, treacherous Han River, all the while dodging incoming bombs and land mines. It was a trying time for Bill and when the peace treaty was signed, he was given the opportunity to leave and took an honorable discharge from his military service. It was on his leave before being discharged from the service that Bill met his future wife at the Christian Church where both their families attended. Bill was smitten with this blue eyed blond and didn't take any time asking her out. Their first date was at the Bend bowling alley. So after serving his country in the U.S. Air Force Bill went to be with the love of his life, Sandra Mitchell. They married November 25, 1953 and lived in Bend where he worked for Ward Motor Company. Later Bill and Sandra's brother, Verle operated several service stations together. Bill and Sandra's first daughter was born in Bend in 1956. Bill and Sandra moved to Prineville Oregon six months later where they lived for 23 years. There they raised four daughters and a son, and took in many foster children. They were involved in the community, always helping where they could. They were members of the Prineville Community Church, making sure their children were able to attend Sunday School regularly and vacation Bible School in the summer. Bill was a committed member of many other community organizations as well, including Kiwanis, Elks, American Legion, Odd Fellows, and the VFW. Bill loved to bowl! He and Sandra bowled on several bowling leagues at the Prineville Bowling Alley. Bill scored several perfect 300 games in his lifetime, as well as going to several state and national tournaments. Bill played hard, but worked harder. He owned and operated several service stations including the Standard right on the main street, next to the A&W Drive In, and his vending business. Bill was known to close the gas station when he would get a call from someone needing rescued from a dead car battery, or a flat tire, or an empty gas tank. He was always there to help in any way he could, giving money, food or assistance; whatever was needed. Bill also continued to expand his vending business often refilling the candy machines after he closed the gas station for the evening. The family's house was always filled with cases of candy, gum, cookies, chips, soda pop, cigarettes and later hot drinks and soups. These cases of goods lined the hallway of their home, often times overflowing into the bedrooms and living room. Many times Sandra and/or the older kids would help him fill the vending machines all around the area and in neighboring towns. This was a fun time for the kids.....they had candy at their fingertips! Relatives and friends visiting the Taylors usually found a "care package" stashed in their car, sometimes hidden, for their trip home. This continued after the kids were grown and had families of their own...they found "yummies" that Dad/Grandpa had stashed in their belongings. Bill was always sharing his love, time, money and yes....candy with everyone he knew. Bill enjoyed having family and friends come to the many dinners and bar-b-ques at the Taylor home. There was always plenty of food and fellowship for all. Bill also enjoyed going out to eat with family and friends and he and his family loved to join out of town relatives on camping trips where there was always hot dogs and marshmallows to roast. Along with family time, there was always sing-a-longs, popcorn, ice cream, a pinochle game or two, and board games of all kinds. He taught his kids how to play solitaire, rummy, and pinochle. Bill found time to watch his kids' school programs and sports events, being their biggest fan, cheering and rooting them on. And then he'd take them all out for ice cream...banana splits were his favorite. During their time in Prineville, Bill and Sandra cared for many foster children. The number is way beyond what can be counted today. Their three bedroom, one bath house once was also home to a family of four extra kids for over a year. Nine kids in all! Bill remodeled the back porch to hold beds for the two older boys at that time. The other seven kids shared the two other kids' bedrooms. The one bathroom had to accommodate seven females and four males in the now family of eleven! Wow! Bill's generous heart extended to the foster kid's as well. Christmas time was filled with gifts for all, piled high around the Christmas tree. And stockings for all, stuffed to overflowing. Sandra sewed many clothes for everyone, also, even as busy as she was, caring for all the kids. One year two young pre-school aged kids were added to the Taylor family just a couple days before Christmas. All the gifts were split up, with help from the Taylor kids, to make sure the two extra kids had just as many gifts that year. Santa always knew what to bring to make Christmas very special! Bill always found ways to surprise his kids and his devoted wife. He surprised Sandra with many gifts....Like the dryer he moved into the house after she had gone to bed. Before that she dried all the laundry by hanging it out on the clothes lines, and in the house in the winter.... And the western saddle he had specially made for her by a local saddle maker. He hid it somewhere in the camper (along with a wife, five kids and all their gear and gifts) they drove down to the relatives' in California one Christmas. He always had a surprise write up and picture in the newspaper for Sandra for all the special occasions. He surprised his kids with clothes, toys, pets, horses, cars and special things they dreamed of. He was generous to a fault. There are many, many more stories that I could go on and on about of the generosity and huge ways in which Bill devoted himself to his family and their happiness. After the kids were grown and gone, he and Sandra moved to Burns, Oregon where he fulfilled his dream of owning a bowling alley. They bought Lariat Lanes, an 8 lane bowling alley in the heart of town. Bill added a myriad of video game machines, where the community kids could come and hang out and play games and bowl in a safe environment. He started after school youth leagues as well as added more adult leagues. It was a real family fun spot. Bill also owned several other businesses there as well, including Leathers gas station and his vending business. He and Sandra were members of the Christian Church in Burns where he was always willing to help the church and the members by serving in many ways. He was an active member of the Kiwanis and Elks clubs of Burns, and other community organizations. He had many dear friends in Burns and Prineville. Bill barely slowed down for retirement, keeping busy working part time, doing church chores, recycling newspapers and soda cans. After living in Burns for 33 years they moved to Nampa Idaho in 2013 to be with family and to be closer to the Boise Veterans Administration due to declining health. Even with his failing health, Bill still found ways to keep busy, reading the newspapers, joining others at the senior center for lunches or going out to eat with family and friends. He and Sandra joined the Nampa Church of the Brethren shortly after attending services there. They found a wonderful church family and enjoyed the fellowship afforded by the members there. Bill's laughter and big smile were contagious. He spread joy and laughter where ever he went. His heart was HUGE and his love and generosity extended to those whose lives he touched. He worked hard all his life and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend. He was such a blessing to many. Bill was committed to his family and friends. He was greatly concerned about their well-being, and he loved them dearly right up until the end. He will be greatly missed. His passing has left a big hole in our lives, but our hearts are comforted knowing that he is no longer in pain and that he is at peace now and living with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in Heaven. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Sandra; his four daughters and their husbands, Ralena and Pat Tilman, Tammy and Jim Hargrave, Lori and Dan Cork, and Roxane and Curt Berger; his son Reginald Taylor; 12 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his sisters Jane Williams and Ann Swain. He was preceded in death by his birth parents, step father, three sisters, brother and step brother. Service: Saturday, October 22, 2016 1:00 p.m. Nampa Church of the Brethren 1103 West Orchard Avenue Nampa, Idaho
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