William "Bill" Taynor passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 86. He was born to Don (Dingy) and Madeline (Merky) Eugenia (Richardson) Taynor of Jonesburg on December 12, 1938.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his infant son. His father Don passed away in 1980 and his mother Madeline died in 2014. His infant son, William Jr., passed away in 1966.
Bill is survived by his sister Joanie Schmersahl of Wentzville and his daughter Terry from a previous marriage. Bill had two children with Connie: Brian, born in 1968 and living in St. Peters and Stacy Lucas, born in 1972 and residing in Wright City with her significant other, Jeff Taylor. They have one grandson, Ryan Lucas, born in 1998 in St. Charles, who is in a relationship with Emma Meyers.
Bill married Connie Wilcoxon in October 1964 in New Florence. They recently celebrated 60 years of marriage. All the family lived nearby and their lives were filled with joy.
In 1957, Bill graduated from Warrenton High School, where he was known for playing guard on the basketball team.
Throughout his life, he worked with his parents at various jobs around Jonesburg, including delivering fuel to local farmers and working at the Taynor Conoco Filling Station. Additionally, he worked for Harold Casper on heavy equipment in St. Louis and at the Callaway Nuclear Power Plant. In the 1960s, Bill opened the Taynor Liquor and Sporting Goods Store next to the Conoco filling station owned by his father, in Jonesburg. Bill went on to retire from Cuivre River Electric Company as a meter reader in 2000.
Bill enjoyed fishing and hunting with friends, but after moving south of town in 1979, he developed a love for watching wildlife. He would frequently set out treats for the animals, who would often come willingly to him. He also established a bird sanctuary for various types of birds. Bill was a member of the Master Gardeners out of Troy. He and Connie enjoyed traveling and creating wonderful memories while taking trips with friends.
Bill continued his mother's hobby of collecting obituaries, but he also pursued many other interests, including creating notebooks about birds and flowers, as well as a collection he called "People, Places and Things." His latest collection was coins, and he spent every day organizing them.
Bill was in hospice care for four months, during which many family members and friends visited him frequently. He truly enjoyed reminiscing and his memory remained sharp until the end.
A celebration of life from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. on Aug. 16 at Jonesburg United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions in Bill's name may be made to the charity of one's choice, Jonesburg United Methodist Church, or No Time to Spare Animal Rescue in Warrenton, MO.
