11 Jan 1919 – 15 Apr 2017
Husband of Bernice Kendell
As Patriarch to a large posterity, Wilmer Harrison Taylor slipped away peacefully at the age of 98 the evening of April 15, 2017. He was born the youngest son of Ether Green and Gertrude Vause Taylor on January 11, 1919, at home in Plain City, Utah. Wilmer graduated from Weber High School in 1937.
Wilmer was the loving husband of Bernice Kendell Taylor. They were married on April 26, 1939, and were later sealed for Time and Eternity in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They celebrated 52 years together living in Uintah, Plain City, Ogden, and Roy, Utah, until Bernice’s death on December 18, 1990.
As a young man, his country called, and leaving a young wife and two young children, he served in the U.S. Navy on the destroyer DDS Schroeder 501 in the South Pacific during WWII. He received eight battle stars and the coveted Bronze Star for his bravery and service. He was a life-long Patriot of the United States. In his career, he was a dedicated firefighter at Hill Air Force Base and Ogden Depot for many years.
Following Bernice’s death in 1990, Wilmer married his loving second wife, Almalee Z. Taylor, to whom he was married for 25 years, living in Washington, Utah. She survives his death, along with his four children, Frances Jean Taylor (Larry M.) Turner of Henderson, Nevada; Diann Taylor (Richard “Dick”) Jones of Overton, Nevada; Terri Ann Taylor (Richard) Reidhead of Green Valley, Arizona; and Kevin Wilmer (Quetta) Taylor of Logan, Utah. Also survived by an adopted nephew, Mark Harold (Lynn) Taylor; two stepchildren, Linda Z. (George) Robinette and David (Lynn) Zittel; and two sisters-in-law, Zelda Kendell (Josef) Foster and Shirley (Max) Kendell and a brother-in-law, Leonard Kendell (Betty) Wilmer. Wilmer is also survived by his sixteen grandchildren, L. Kirk Logan, Kristilyn Logan Monica, Douglas Michael Ferro, Leslie Todd Turner, Craig Taylor Jones, Ricky L. Jones, Jil Jeanene Jones, Scott Michael Jones, Robyn Anne Reidhead Couperus, Jackie Lynn Scott, Lance Richard Reidhead, Jarrett Wilmer Reidhead, Mark Kevin Taylor, Randy Wayne Taylor, Daniel Harold Taylor, and Jonathan Wilmer Taylor; four step-grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and by numerous Taylor and Kendell nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Kevin W. (Anne Winegar) Taylor.
Wilmer was privileged to serve three missions for the LDS Church:
An extraction mission with Bernice in St. George, one at Temple Square in Salt Lake City with Almalee, and a third as a Stake missionary in the Washington, Utah Stake.
Wilmer was truly an exemplary, honorable man who was always positive with a cheerful spirit, one who was known as a peacemaker, who loved his family and many friends, all of whom will miss his association, but will remember him with joy.
A Graveside service will be held on Friday, April 21, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Plain City Cemetery where military honors will be accorded. Friends may visit with family on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.
Plain City Cemetery, Plain City, Weber, Utah
