Billy R. Taylor

Billy R. Taylor, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on Sept. 7, 2025. He was born March 17, 1931, in Harrisburg, Arkansas, to James Raymond and Mary Francis Taylor. He grew up in Harrisburg and Newport, Arkansas, and graduated from Newport High School in 1949. Bill served in the US Navy from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean conflict. He graduated from Arkansas State University where he received his BA degree and met his wife, Jeannine (Terrell) Taylor. They were married on Dec. 22, 1957, and spent 63 wonderful years together.

Bill enjoyed a long career with Pet Milk, Mead Johnson and Bristol Myers Squibb, and resided in St Louis, Missouri, for many years. Bill and Jeannine retired to Heber Springs in 1997, where they built an active life at Eden Isle, enjoying making lifelong friends, spending time at Red Apple Inn, boating on the lake and hosting many gatherings for friends and family at their home. They embarked on many adventures on their boat, The Sailsman, including cruising up the Mississippi River to Illinois. They enjoyed traveling the world together and with family, and spending time each winter in Clearwater, Florida. If you're going to be stranded with two flat tires near the Arctic Circle in Alaska (which did actually happen in 1999), Bill was the type of person you'd like to have by your side. Bill was quite a storyteller and could bend your ear sharing fond and humorous memories from his long and full life. His affable, kind, dependable manner and steady influence will be missed by family and friends.

Bill was an active member of Renew Church and Heber Springs Rotary. He and Jeannine were strong advocates for literacy and education and volunteered with various civic groups. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Jeannine; his parents, James Raymond and Mary Francis Taylor; and his siblings, Bobby L. Taylor, James Gary Taylor and Mary Ellen Henson Holladay. Bill is survived by his brother, Jerry (Patty) Taylor of Heber Springs, Arkansas; sister-in-law, Nancy Taylor of Ponca City, Oklahoma; brother-in-law, David (Kay) Terrell of Jonesboro, Arkansas; and many nieces, nephews, grand and great grand nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held Oct. 4 at 10 a.m. at Renew Church in Heber Springs, Arkansas, followed by a reception at the church. Bill and Jeannine will be interred at Bolivar Cemetery in Harrisburg, Arkansas, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Renew Church memorial fund, 1099 W Pine St., Heber Springs, AR 72543 or Rotary Club of Heber Springs scholarship fund, PO Box 1016, Heber Springs, AR 72543. Bill strived to be a mentor and encouragement to all his family, often leaving them with these words of wisdom: "Keep on keeping on." Visit www.olmstead.cc.