Billie (Bill) Rex Taylor passed away , Sunday, November 19, 2023. Bill was born October 1, 1927, in Lake City, Arkansas to William Rex Taylor and Lessie Henry Taylor Pickhardt.
Before graduating from Black Oak High School in 1946, Bill attended Hendrix College in Conway and enlisted in the army. After serving in the United States Army, he attended Arkansas State College in Jonesboro and graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. He was a lifelong Razorback fan. In 1973, Bill earned his Master of Science degree in engineering management from Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla.
Bill met the love of his life, Norma Jean Ford, in 1947 and they were married February 28, 1953. They had four children, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Bill worked for the Missouri State Highway and Transportation Department for 37 years. After retirement from his role as the Southeast District Design Engineer, he volunteered as a driver with the Red Cross for 25 years. He was an active member of the Kansas Expressway Church of Christ and the Southside Church of Christ serving as a Bible class teacher and elder at both churches. He also took 14 trips to Romania teaching English and Bible lessons. Bill loved to fly. He had a private and commercial pilot’s license, served in the Civil Air Patrol, and flew frequently over a span of more than 60 years. His pride and joy was the RV-4 airplane that he built.
Bill was preceded in death by his father, mother, and brother Larry Taylor.
Bill is survived by his wife Norma, children Rex (Denise) Taylor of Lucas, Texas; Dana (Robert Brandt) Gray of Ozark; Jana (Troy) Bowline of Ozark; Carla (Kenny) Stephens of Springfield; sister Sondra (Jack) Hayhurst of Florida; sister-in-law Marcia Taylor of Arkansas; grandchildren Laura (Neil) Nickell of Fairview, Texas; Amy (Eddy) McBroom of Richardson, Texas, Brandon Gray of Ozark, Lauren (Justin) Fann of Ozark; Callie (Jake) Haake of Japan, Shane Stephens of Springfield and Devin (Kiana) Stephens of Republic; great-grandchildren Geneva McBroom, Gabe, Averie, and Macie Nickell, Karsyn and Hudson Fann and Noah Haake.
Visitation will be held Sunday, November 26, 2023 from 2:00 to 3:00 P.M., in Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark. Funeral service will be 9:30 A.M. Monday, November 27, 2023 at Southside Church of Christ, Ozark. Burial will follow with full military honors at 11:00 A.M. Monday at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Fair Haven Children’s Home of Strafford or the American Red Cross.
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