William Arthur Taylor

It is with deepest sadness that we announce the tragic passing of our father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. On Monday, August 26, 2013, at approximately 1:46 a.m., after a very long and hard-fought battle, Bill passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord. He was surrounded, and held tenderly, by his wife of nearly 40 years, his two children, his best friend Dr. Len LaRue, and two ministers.

Bill is the son of Dorothy Taylor and William (Bill) Taylor. Dad was born in an elevator in the Vancouver General Hospital on October 24, 1944, during the Second World War. He was the president and founder of the Assiniboine Valley Railway (AVR), the owner and CEO of W. A. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Ltd., Clear Spring Ice, Sweden Freezer, and co-owner of Rodway Refrigeration. Bill was passionate about the AVR, and ran a dinner train every fall, as well as regular open houses and public runs. He was driven every year to put up a Christmas light display that was open to the public, and eventually contained well over 100, 000 lights and structures. The trains ran through the light display and lit up the faces and hearts of many of Winnipeg's citizens. Earlier he owned and operated a hobby shop in St. James, as well as a restaurant, Arthur's Table, in Charleswood. He served for many years as the chair of MOPIA. He contributed to the designing of the refrigeration course programs offered at Red River College. He was a very active member of The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club for much of his life. Bill acted as editor, president, and vise-president at different times for the Lantern magazine.

My dad was an active member of St. Stephen's Broadway United Church, in earlier years, where he began ushering for services at age 12. He was an active member of Westminster United Church for close to 40 years, where he sang in the choir for nearly three decades, and served on various committees. Bill was the founding business manager of the Westminster Organ Series. He contributed to Habitat for Humanity. He also regularly donated blood and sponsored many children through Humanitarian organizations. Dad was an active leader in the Scouts Canada Movement, and specifically the 82nd troop for many years. Dad was one of the Queen's own Highlanders and graduated as a Cadet Captain. Co. of B Company and Master Cadet. He also graduated from Red River College at the top of his class. Bill attended St. John's Ravenscourt for the bulk of his early education, but also attended Chapman Elementary and one year at Charleswood High School. Our father served as active member, president, or vise-president of various other committees and organizations throughout his life. Most recently, my father was awarded the Queen's Jubilee for volunteerism.

Bill Taylor is survived by: his loving and devoted wife, Mary-Lou Taylor (nee Whillans), of what would have been 40 years this September 7; his daughter, Lisa Taylor (Brent Maunder); his son, Paul Taylor (Jacqueline Foley); his grandchildren, Jessie Taylor, Quindora, Julian, and Miriam Taylor-Pirogov; his sons-in-law, Bradley Taylor-Pirogov and Jonathan Ball; his sister, Joan Bund; his brother, Dr. Russell Taylor; 11 nephews and nieces; and many great-nieces and nephews; as well as countless cousins and friends.

Funeral arrangements have been made through Thomson Funeral Home on Broadway, and the service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church 61 Picardy Place at 11:00 a.m. Receptions at the church and family estate will follow. Interment will take place between receptions at Chapel Lawn Cemetery 4000 Portage Avenue. The family respectfully asks that the celebration of life reception, taking place at the Taylor Family Estate after the interment, be limited to those who knew Bill Taylor and/or members of the family personally.

Donations can be made in Bill's memory to the Liver and Kidney Foundation, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Assiniboine Valley Railway, PLAN, or a charity of your choice. Special thanks are extended to all those who have helped to support Bill or the family in bodily care, spirit, or prayer