William Jefferies Taylor Jr.

Wild Bill Taylor (William J. Taylor Jr.), 90, of Westbrook, CT passed away peacefully in his own home in the wee morning hours of December 12, 2024 with his son Scott W Taylor and his daughter in law Grace D. Taylor and a family friend Samuel H Coxe III at his side and so ended the earthly journey of this soul that came into being on February 1st 1934 in Hartford, Connecticut. Bill was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Charlotte M. [Allen] Taylor and leaves behind his brother John S. Taylor of Barrington, RI, sister Lynn V. Taylor of Old Lyme, CT and son Scott W. Taylor and Daughter in-law Grace D. Taylor. Bill was the first child of the late William J. Taylor and Gracelna [Charter] Taylor. Bill or Wild Bill as he would later be known spent his formative years at 53 Nepaug St. in Hartford, the home of his paternal grandparents, William S. Taylor and Harriet [Baker] Taylor. Life with his grandparents left a profound imprint on him, his grandfather instilled in him a deep appreciation and talent for art and humor. Bill’s father was an accomplished athlete and educator and instilled values of honesty, health, athletics, determination and discipline. Around age 4 or 5 Bill was seriously injured after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle; for a time it was thought he might never walk again, but he overcame the set back. During World War II Bill’s father joined The Coast Guard and moved the family with his second wife to 56 Shore Dr. Waterford, CT. where Bill and his brother had many great times on Alewife Cove. During this time Bill attended St. Thomas Choir school on West 58th St. in New York City, where he sang in the choir. He traveled by rail by himself back and forth to the school and fondly remembered those train rides and conductors he befriended as a child. After the war, the family moved back to Hartford where Bill attended Southwest School until 1948 and then Bulkeley High school graduating with honors in 1952. Bill was senior class president and a member of the student congress. He excelled at public speaking and was a member of the honor society and the boys club. In sports he excelled at baseball, football and was co-captain of the swimming team. His yearbook described him as: “Hardworking, cooperative, progressive with an outstanding personality admired by both students and faculty, sincere in all he does and an all around athlete and exceptional public speaker” After high school Bill attended Springfield College in Springfield, MA and began his boxing career in earnest, while being an attendant for the Springfield Fire Dept., in exchange for rooming there. Wanting to pursue professional boxing he enlisted in The Army in 1954 to pursue boxing opportunities therein. Bill joined The Army boxing team in while stationed in Germany and met his lifelong friend John McIntyre. Bill was adventurous and traveled Europe and England by himself while on a 90 day leave from the Army, touring Spain, Italy, Austria, France, England and Scotland. He thoroughly enjoyed this time in his life and recounted his “90 days on 90 dollars” with fondness. After returning from the Army in 1956 he pursued his professional boxing career moving to California where he stayed for a while with his Aunt Lillian. His boxing career was over after fifty amateur fights: forty wins and ten losses and six professional fights: three wins and three losses. Following the boxing he stayed for a while in California working odd jobs until finally driving back across country with a fellow “going his way”. Back in Hartford he once again pursued an educational degree at Columbia Teacher’s College in New York. He remained active in sports and while supplementing his income by lifeguarding at a pool in West Hartford where he met his wife Charlotte M. [Allen] Taylor and they were married on October 26th, 1959. In the first year of their marriage, they lived in Glastonbury, CT and Bill tried his hand at obtaining a medical degree at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, which did not work out. Following the stint in Canada the Bill and Charlotte moved to Greenwich, CT where he became a chemistry teacher at Greenwich High School. While in Greenwich Bill pursued running going on to run many races and marathons, placing 47th in The Boston Marathon. Bill was THE originator of the still ongoing Greenwich, CT five mile Memorial Day road race; now know as The Jim Fixx Memorial Day Race. Bill also found great satisfaction in mentoring youth in Greenwich, serving as a counselor at Camp Simmons. He is fondly remembered by many of his campers to this day. Bill received a community service award from the Jaycees in 1967. In 1968 Bill bought property in Westbrook, CT and moved into a new house on Malabar Drive in 1969 with the birth of his son Scott W. Taylor. Along with the move he left Greenwich High School and went to teach chemistry at East Lyme High School. While at East Lyme he coached track and field and gave private boxing lessons at his house. In 1977 tensions with the school administration culminated in his discharge. None the less he had a very positive influence on his students as evidenced by their compliments to him over the years; many saying he was the best chemistry teacher the ever had. After East Lyme Bill once again did odd jobs including masonry, roofing, and horse barn cleaning at taught science for a few more years at The Oxford Academy in Westbrook, before finally striking out in his own art service business in 1984. It was difficult but rewarding work for him, for many years walking the pavement going from door to door to build his business, “out beating the bushes” he would say. His efforts paid off and his business thrived for 38 years encompassing pen and ink drawings, business logos, caricature parties, cartooning classes for youngsters, and finally culminating in producing watercolor paintings and cards. He became a well known artist along the shoreline and occasionally extended his reach to New York and Massachusetts. Bill had an outgoing personality and could strike up a conversation with just about anyone, almost always having a relative story of interest to whomever he was talking to. He loved his work and all the places it took him and the people he met. Bill was a genuine man and was his heart was of gold, which was sometimes pierced by those he loved. He loved his neighbors deeply. For those who knew him, my father was a hardworking, honest man with great determination who overcame many crushing adversities in life. He was giving of himself and mentored and inspired many generations over his lifetime, he was a service to others person. He was a good father to me and a second father to my close friends while we were growing up. He was tough on discipline, and he had a strong will and deep feelings, sometimes not always appreciated as much he should have been, but he always wanted the best for his family. I am happy this man was my father. No funeral services will be held at his request. In lieu of flowers anyone wanting to make a donation should make it to a youth support and mentoring service in his name; The Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, CT is suggested.

https://youtu.be/WmPNp6qwvFM?si=exWv2lALiJKTnnEG