William Matthew Taylor, age 74, passed away August 4, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas following a short battle with advanced melanoma. He was born February 7, 1951 in Boyers, Pennsylvania to Edgar Claire Taylor and Martha Evalena (Potter) Taylor.
William, known to many as Bill, grew up in Boyers, PA as the youngest of eight children on the family farm. There, he learned the value of measuring twice and cutting once and that nothing was worth doing, unless you were going to do it right. William played the tuba in the school band, fostering a lifelong love for music. He graduated from Moniteau High School in 1969 and was recognized as a National Honor Society Student. He honorably served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1975, aboard the USS Kitty Hawk. During his service, he was twice selected as Outstanding Sailor of the Month.
He met the love of his life, Shanna (Semken) Taylor (1950-2015), in San Diego, CA. The two were married in the Los Angeles California Temple on May 9, 1975. After and honorable discharge, William and Shanna moved to various states supporting William’s work in the coal mining industry. He earned certifications as an electrician, fire boss, mine foreman and emergency medical technician. William then worked as a supervisor with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for 19 years where he worked tirelessly to promote the importance of miner safety.
Throughout his life, William served in various capacities within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including the bishopric, high council and stake presidency. He had a love for genealogy that inspired him to learn the French language, a pursuit he maintained until relocating to Yuma, AZ after retirement, where he believed the Spanish language skills would be more beneficial.
William is survived by his four children, Ryan Taylor, David Taylor, Rachel (Bradford) Reid, Rebecca (Matthew) Potter; brothers, Ed Taylor and Larry Taylor; along with nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife (Shanna), stillborn children, Elizabeth and Joseph; brothers, Wilbert Taylor, John Taylor; sisters, Virgina “Ginny” Evalena (Taylor) Wilkinson, Martha (Taylor) Brown and Barbara (Taylor) Nutt.
The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to the Potter family for their support of William during his final months as well as to the healthcare professionals involved.
There will be a short graveside service on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 10:45 at the Cliffview Cemetery in Price, Utah where William will be laid to rest next to his wife. A short visitation will take place at Mitchell Funeral Home (233 East Main Street, Price, Utah 84501) prior to the graveside at 10:00 a.m.
Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends and family are invited to share memories of William online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.