William B. "Bill" Taylor

William B. Taylor passed away peacefully on Friday, April 28, 2006, surrounded by his wife, son, and the loving care of St. John's Lutheran Ministries.
Bill was born in Bozeman, on Nov. 18, 1922, to John Charles and Helen Shiell Taylor. He had three older sisters to keep him in line as he grew up in Bozeman. His passion growing up was golf, and he was the Valley View Golf Club, Junior Champion in 1938. As was expected at the time, he went to Montana State College where he was a member of ROTC. He also joined the Beta Rho chapter of Sigma Chi and was a manager on the 1943 Golden Bobcat basketball team. After WWII started, Bill was called into active duty in June, 1944. He served in Infantry Co. E, 343 Infantry Regiment, of the U.S. Army's 86th Infantry Division. During his service in the European theater, he received the bronze star for displaying a high degree of courage in an extremely perilous situation to rescue an injured squad member. According to Major General Melasky, Bill was an example to his troops and reflected high credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.
When he returned from the war, Bill completed his college education at Montana State College receiving a BS in secretarial studies in 1948. On Aug. 21, 1949, he married Margaret "Peg" Roman. He had met Peg at an early age, as she used to come over to his house to play paper dolls with his sisters. Love simmered slowly, but lasted a lifetime! In 1957, they were blessed with their only child, Richard "Rick," named after Peg's brother who was killed in the war.
Bill started working at Sawyer's stores but spent most of his career at the Billing's Exxon refinery. He touched many lives in his role as a benefits administrator at the refinery. He was active outside work as well. He served as the Montana State University Alumni Association vice president from 1963-'65, and was president from 1965-'67. He retired from Exxon in 1981, which gave him more time to fish and play golf. He was a member of Lake Hills Golf Club for many years. He also enjoyed traveling and visiting his sister's and son's families. He especially loved to play and tease the kids and grandkids. His loving presence will be sorely missed, but his generous spirit and sense of humor will always be remembered.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters. In addition to his wife of 56 years, Margaret, Bill is survived by his son, Richard (Lauri) Taylor; and his three grandchildren, Lisa, Kevin and Lindsay Taylor, all of Wilmington, Del.
A memorial service is planned for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, at the First Presbyterian Church in Billings. A memorial service will also be held in Bozeman in late July, where his ashes will be interred at the Sunset Hills Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church or to Montana State University or to a charity of your choice.
Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary has charge of arrangements.