William Robert Taylor (The Bear to his friends and Billy to his family) of Smyrna, passed away on February 15, 2013, at age 65, after a prolonged battle with the complications from diabetes. Bill was born and raised in Calhoun, Georgia. He attended Berry College in Rome, Georgia, and graduated with a degree in mathematics. Bill continued his education throughout his adult life, attending Southern Polytechnic Institute in Marietta, Ga. for an ECET degree. Bill retired from Lockheed Martin in 2011 as a Senior Technical Manuals Writer after 44 years of service. He was a member of Lockheed’s Management Club, Gun Club and Auto Club. Bill loved Ford Mustangs and was a member of the Atlanta Mustang Club and the Cherokee Mustang Club of Calhoun. He liked to go deep sea fishing, meet with his friends at the American Legion on Wednesdays and travel. Bill was preceded in death by his mother and father, Mary Ruth Burnette Taylor and William Delphus Taylor of Cahoun, and his older brother Edward Eugene “Eddie” Taylor of Adairsville.

Bill is survived by his daughter Jessica Brooke Taylor of Woodstock, Ga., his friend and former wife, Brenda Batson Taylor of Kennesaw, Ga., sister and brother-in-law Carolyn and Billy Neal and nieces Christian Neal Tarpley and Joanna Neal Fincher of Calhoun, and sister-in-law Myrna Dempsey Taylor and nephew Timothy Taylor of Adairsville.

A memorial service was held at the chapel of Thomas Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 1 p.m., with internment following at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Calhoun. The family received friends from noon until the funeral hour.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the American Diabetes Association or the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Fund c/o C L Weaver, 1774 Love Bridge Road, Fairmount, GA 30139, would be appreciated.

On line condolences may be recorded at www.thomasfuneralhome.com. Thomas Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.