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Bill Taylor - Passed Away from Cancer - Sept 6th, 2008
The photo above was taken at Bill and Linda's 50th Wedding Anniversary this past summer.
It was a sad day when I received the call from Shannon (Bill's niece) on Saturday evening, Sept 6th. Bill has told me about his condition back in July (pancreatic cancer) and that he apparently had it for quite sometime without knowing. A brief stint with weekly chemotheraphy did not help and the cancer has spread to his liver. It was only a week ago that we chatted via email. Now he is gone and pain free. Rest in peace my friend and golf bud. I would like to share a story with everyone on how we connected.
Back in 1999 when I lived in Surrey, Bill found bcgolfguide.com on the web and became a frequent visitor, one day he emailed and said "What a great job you do with the site, and that if I was ever in Vernon to come play at his home course of Predator Ridge."
That fall my wife and son took a holiday to Kelowna and I meet bill for a wondferful fall day of golf. We were instant friends. By the time the 16th hole rolled around I took notice to his ball cap. It had a logo of the North Vancouver ICBC Fraud Squad. I said to myself, "Taylor" hmmm I wonder. I asked him if he had a relative by the name of Shannon? Well of course, she's my niece!
A small world it truly is, Shannon and my wife Alana went to Omineca High School in Vanderhoof, BC. What a story I had to tell Alana after the game.
From that day the email exchanges between us was weekly. My family and I eventaully migrated to Kelowna in 2001. Our games became more frequent and Bill would post the results about the Okanagan Senior events in the valley. Bill would tell me about the comments he would get from his fellow senior golf friends. Bill achieved three hole in ones in his life, a hat trick to be remembered!
I would like to call upon friends and aquintances that would like to post a brief comment or even a humorous story about Bill. Please send an email and we will promptly post it on this page.
Bill Taylor was a very strong supporter of the Okanagan Senior Tournaments and active in the association and was well liked. He sent out each year the tournament schedule for the Seniors Tournaments with out fail and actively attended all of them. He and I had a constant bet of a Toney for the best low net at all events. We had some very good times and I will miss him very much. He and I continued to pass on e-mails and jokes in the past year after I moved to Abbotsford. See you Bill, in that big course up there someday.
Regards
Lloyd LeMoignan - Fellow Senior Golfer - Sept 7th
I am truly touched and saddened to receive this news. I had the distinct privilege of golfing with Bill last year in Ross's event at SunRivers, Tobiano and the Dunes. A most memorable event. Bill was only a ‘stranger’ for a few moments (strangers are only friends we haven’t met you know!) – I am more of a ‘duffer’ than golfer but will always remember Bill’s suggestion of picking a spot to aim for and go for it. He did and the ball went there – I did and the result was not always good news! My sincere condolences – Bill was a great ambassador for golf!
Terry Taylor (no relation other than a new friend) - Sept 8th
I'm stunned and truly saddened by Bill's sudden passing. It wasn't more than 6 or 8 weeks ago that he and I sat on the patio and joked and laughed as we caught up on topics since the last visit. We solved all the world's problems during those chats. He told me of his pancreatic cancer, adding "...and I thought it would be my heart that'd get me!" It'll be his warm heart that I will remember. Bill was keenly interested in people, and took great pleasure in hearing everyone's good news. I will miss that broad smile and his dancing eyes. So long, my friend,
Barb Mitchell
Highlands Golf Short-Game Excellence
I am truly sorry to hear you left us. I was involved in one of your hole in one's. I awarded you a new Club Car for the Hole in one at Nk'Mip Canyon Desert Golf Club. I also remember you decided to sell the car. I'm not sure which caused you more excitement, the hole in one or selling the car, the smile never came off your face. It was a good week.
Good bye my friend.
Marcel Gagne'
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