William Taylor

William Benjamin “Bill” Taylor, 65, of Bettendorf, died Friday, September 14, 2012 at Trinity Rock Island.

Funeral services celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at Grace Lutheran Church in Davenport. Burial will be at Davenport Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 19 ^th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for his grandchildren’s future education.

Bill was born on January 4, 1947 in Davenport, Iowa.  On May 26, 1972 in Clinton, he married Patricia Hook.

Bill graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with his bachelor’s degree. He furthered his education and graduated from the University of Illinois with his master’s degree in education. Bill earned his Certified Financial Planning Certificate through the College for Financial Planning in Denver, Colorado.

Bill started his career working as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the State of Iowa from March 1970 – February 1975.  He then worked for Davenport Public Schools as a special needs coordinator from February 1975 – June 1978. Bill then worked as a realtor until 1985 and then took a job with Skills, Inc. until 2000.  He then moved on to his current job as director of Crossroads in Muscatine. Bill was also an adjunct professor of psychology at Scott Community College. He enjoyed collecting and restoring AMC Cars and was a member of the National American Motors Drag Racing Association.  Bill took pride in restoring his old home and always had future plans for its renovation. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Davenport.  Bill was the current president of the Muscatine Health Association.  He had a unique sense of humor and an uncanny ability to make people laugh especially with his “play on words.” Bill provided great support for his family and adored his grandchildren. He was always teaching and leading by example. Bill enjoyed spending special time learning new “facts” with his 8 year old granddaughter, Averie and looking at trees with his 3 month old granddaughter, Bailey.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Patricia of Bettendorf; one son, Austin Taylor and his wife, Tera of Bettendorf; two grandchildren, Averie and Bailey; brothers and sisters, Robert (Sue) Taylor of Sedona, AZ, Gerald (Alison) Taylor of Hillsboro, Oregon, Karen (Mike) Gurke of Cedar Creek, MO, Janet (Jerry) Welvaert of Colorado Springs, CO and Cheryl Munford of Bettendorf.