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, Washington. Bill, age 90, a long time resident of Skagit County, was born in Friday Harbor, Washington on December, 28, 1918, the only child of Jesse Taylor and Dorothy (Houlton) Taylor. Bill grew up in Friday Harbor, Washington graduating with the Class of 1939. Recovery from brain surgery in 1937 that arose from injuries suffered in a car crash when he was ten years old prevented his entry into the armed services in World War II. During the war, Bill worked for Sears and Pan American Airways in Seattle, Washington. 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, Minnesota. Bill and Pat were married on July 21, 1946. To this marriage their two sons were born, James in September of 1947 and Paul in December of 1950. Bill worked many years in sales of wholesale cleaning supplies and as a supervisor in the food industry. Bill was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star in Friday Harbor and very much enjoyed progressing through the many chairs of those organizations. His participation allowed him to return to San Juan Island frequently over the years after he moved briefly to Bellingham and then to Skagit County where he helped raise his two sons and lived for the remainder of his life. Bill was a people person and loved working on committees with other people. Bill was very active in volunteer organizations throughout his life serving with the Council on Campfire Girls and President of the Samish Island Conservation Corporation, which was instrumental in saving Padilla Bay from development in the early 1960's. After his retirement he became a full time community volunteer in the following organizations: Burlington-Edison Kiwanis Club, Skagit County Council on Aging, Chinook Enterprises (founding board member), Housing Authority of Skagit County, and the SKAT Committee on Bus Transportation. A long term member of the Allen United Methodist Church, he really enjoyed the long term friendship and fellowship of its members. He continued to volunteer his time up until his declining health prevented his further involvement. He cherished his time in these endeavors and his efforts were recognized by many with many successes and accomplishments too numerous to list. His hobbies and interests, outside of community volunteering, involved activities with his family, including traveling, camping, attending athletic events, canoeing, picnicking and socializing with friends. He enjoyed making things and working in his shop, such as wooden boats, airplanes, kites and games for his children and later his granddaughters. He enjoyed watching his two granddaughters grow up into young women and they were a great source of his joy and pride. His favorite saying was: "Every day is a good day; some are better than others". He will be missed by all who loved him. His engaging smile and gift of conversation will always be remembered by those who knew him. Bill is survived by his wife of nearly sixty-three years, Patricia; and sons, James (Jim) Taylor and wife, Susanne; Paul Taylor and his two daughters, Jennifer and Kathy. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Allen United Methodist Church, 16775 Allen West Road, Bow, Washington followed by a Reception in the Church Reception Room. Memorials may be made to the Allen Methodist Church or to Meals on wheels.