William (Bill) Leon Taylor peacefully went on his final journey Monday, June 6, 2016 at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Denton, TX, where he succumbed from a short illness. Bill was 74 at the time of death and had been a Denton resident for 39 years. One of his favorite places to live was his current residence in Robson Ranch.

Bill was born on March 21, 1942, in Newark, NY, (Town of Arcadia). His parents were Leon D. Taylor and Dorothy R. Taylor who were dairy farmers for many years. Bill had 3 siblings, a sister Elaine (Taylor) Lannon, a brother John, and a sister Kathy (Taylor) Schancer. He was a graduate of Newark High School, earned his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree with Honors at Clarkson University, and completed about 30 graduate hours towards a masters of engineering degree at Clarkson. He was a member of Triangle National Fraternity, Tau Beta Pi, Pi Tau Sigma, CAA, and ASME. He was a Mechanical Engineer for Xerox Corporation for almost 33 years before retiring as a "Xerox Customer Satisfaction Analyst."

In his early years, he was a member of 4-H of Wayne County, New York and in high school he enjoyed being scorekeeper for the Newark High School basketball team. As an adult, he was a member and one of the founders of the North Texas Shooters Association, Lifetime member of NRA, Robson Ranch Model Railroad Club, Robson Ranch Support Our Troops and his beloved Lynnbrook neighborhood in Robson Ranch.

Bill met his beloved wife, Sherrie (Ingalls) Taylor in Potsdam, NY where they both attended college. They were married on July 18, 1964 in Endwell, NY. He is survived by his wife; children Mark W. Taylor (Kelly) of Roswell, NM, and Tammie (Taylor) Marley (Steve) of Denton, TX; grandchildren Cody Marley, Wade Marley, and Jessica Marley all of Denton, TX and Christopher Taylor and Alison Taylor of Roswell, NM. His children and grandchildren were a great source of joy and really kept him going. His wife of almost 52 years was his partner for life.

Bill Taylor never knew the word "quit." Though a paraplegic since age 5, he had a remarkable strength, indelible spirit and zest for life. He met challenges that came his way with determination, intelligence and planning leaving others to marvel at his achievements. He enjoyed family, sports, travel, camping, canoeing, wood working (including furniture building), was a marksman shooter, an accomplished automobile mechanic (including engine rebuilder and hand control designer/installer enabling him to drive for his entire adult life), a U.S. Patent holder as inventor, and successfully engaged in many other activities that many without physical limitations did not dare attempt.

He is also survived by his sister Kathy, his Aunt Doris (Taylor) Payne, sister-in-law Eileen (Patsos) Taylor, many nieces and nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents, his sister Elaine and brother John.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Denton First United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 11 at 1 p.m. in the sanctuary. A Celebration of Life will also be held at Park Presbyterian Church in Newark, NY on Saturday, June 25 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clarkson University, 8 Clarkson Ave., Potsdam, NY 13699, and Denton FUMC, for Monroe building, c/o Alan Heath, Business Administrator, 201 S. Locust St., Denton, TX 76201.