Bernard Leroy Taylor died Thursday, April 24, 2025 on his 64th birthday. He was born on April 24, 1961 to Robert & Rosemary (Campbell) Taylor in Viroqua, Wisconsin. At a young age, Bernard’s parents divorced and a couple years later his father married Patricia (PeCoy Capps). He was loved by his three parents, and all six of his siblings. For many years in his youth, Bernard was a troubled soul. He spent a year living with his mom in Oregon, and though he loved the west coast, it wasn’t a good fit for him. He then came back to Madison to be with his father. After the death of his mother, Bernard disappeared from our family. He lived in Milwaukee for many years with William Sigrist until 2010 when they both began having some major health issues. Fortunately, by then he had reconnected with our family, and we were able to bring him to Madison for care. For over the last decade he has stayed at Whitney Lodge home in Madison, where the staff took care of him. They commented many times through the years that they wished all the residents were like him. Bernard was a quiet, kind and gentle man who loved his alone time and also being with his family. He especially liked getting together to go out for pancakes with his sisters Janet & Dana. His passions were books of many genres, with one of his favorites being Dune. He once said his ideal job would be as a librarian, to be around books and help others discover them. In addition to reading everything, he enjoyed watching television and movies and listening to music.
Bernard is survived by four sisters, Julie McWain, Janet (Jim) Pfeifer, Dana (Brian) Hischke and Susan (Paul) Herrick, many nieces & nephews, Aunt Louise Von Ruden and many cousins. Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, Rosemary (Campbell Taylor) Grover, Robert Taylor and Patricia Taylor, his brothers Kenneth Taylor and Jerry Capps, several aunts & uncles, a nephew, and his friend William Sigrist.
Visitation is being held at Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3325 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI on Friday, May 2, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. A dinner will occur on Friday during the visitation. Funeral services will not be held. Inurnment will be at Highland Memory Gardens 3054 County Rd BB, Madison, at a future date after cremation.
Special thank you to the staff at Whitney Lodge and his sisters Janet and Dana for taking care of him.
Life is like a book
You have turned your final page
And your story has come to an end
As we close your cover and put your book to rest
We will remember fondly the pages we turned together
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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