Name: Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home
Address: East Lansing, MI

Dear Norma and Family,

I think of Bill often and the many ways in which he and you both supported me and influenced me personally and professionally.  Many memories come to mind, especially the faculty-student dinners, conversations leaving the office going to our cars and of course as Ron Rosenberg has mentioned our battles as teammates on the basketball courts with young upstarts we often thrashed. I know he is always with us and will always be remembered.

Dr. Taylor was truly a gentleman.  I will always remember him as a kind professor and a knowlegeable mentor.  RIP.

Hello, Norma:
Just a short note to let you know I am thinking of Bill and you on this anniversary. I can still picture Bill running up and down the basketball court tirelessly, while most of us were panting mightily. I hope that you and your family are experiencing fond memories of Bill. 
My best wishes for 2025.
Ron R

Dear Norma and family,
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to express my heartfelt thoughts to you and your family. Dr. Taylor made such a profound impact on so many lives, including mine, and his legacy will always live on. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I wish you comfort and strength during this time.
With deepest sympathy,
Shahla Ameri Rinaldi 
from France

My thoughts are with Taylor’s from wherever they hail. Please know that your husband, father, brother or friend is remembered even by the people you may not know, but  who were positively impacted by Dr. Taylor. God’s speed, sir.

Bill was my friend and colleague, my condolences to Norma and family. He was an interesting companion on our several international trips, once we flew around  the world with stops in Pakistan and Hong Kong, it was most interesting, we shared many tales of experiences and thoughts and found we agreed most of the time. I am sorry to  hear of his passing and give my profound sympathy to Norma. 

I would attend his services but after a month in hospital am confined to home. Sorry. 

WES 

Photo at wedding of Ayanna Camara Coleman with Bill and Norma Taylor, Fred and Helen Coleman, Chike' Coleman and Aparna Agrawal. Photo credit: B.D. Agrawal

I met Bill in 1976 when I was provisionally accepted to pursue my M.Sc. in Civil Engineering (Transportation).    Bill showed confidence in me and encouraged me throughout my studies.  At one point during my M.Sc. studies when I had not performed to his high standards he challenged me and wrote on my assignment  “you can do better”.  This statement demonstrated his faith in me and helped motivate me to have confidence that I could achieve my educational and professional goals with focus, determination and importantly the belief that others had in you.  Bill gave me that belief.  My belief and Bill’s belief in me led me to return from several years in industry to complete my Ph. D. with Bill as my faculty advisor.
Bill and Norma Taylor opened their home and heart to me and provided me with support, mentorship, and family atmosphere.  One of the most remarkable experiences that demonstrate their kindness and thoughtfulness is when Bill and Norma hosted a small private and loving wedding dinner at their home for me and Helen shortly after we were married.  Bill and Norma knew that I had lost both my parents when I was 17 so they offered this beautiful and loving experience to me and my new bride.  I had never expected or experienced this kindness and in writing this my tears flow.
I attribute a great deal of my success in life to Bill for helping me dream and realize what I could become as a professional, a husband and a father.  He demonstrated and I benefited from his mentorship as so many of my fellow students have mentioned.  So without a doubt I attribute a great deal of my career success to 40 + years of him being in my life.  
Thank you Norma and the Taylor family for sharing this remarkable, kind, and irreplaceable human being who influenced my life and countless other lives in ways we never imagined when we were so young.


When doctor Taylor and Khalid visited me in Paris in 2008. 
Doctor Taylor has been a great chapter in the life of all his students including me.  

I knew Bill as a boss and mentor for a few years and as a friend for many years.   

During the four years I worked for Bill I learned pretty much everything I needed to advance my career - critical thinking, teamwork, temperament, and work ethic.   That is forever appreciated. 

As a friend of Bill's, the relationship was never diminished by time or distance.  It was always current and genuine.  

I'll remember Bill as open-mined and insightful, always upbeat and steady.  In my opinion, a great man.  

I met Bill in 1975 when I asked him if he would consider a refugee from astrophysics as a graduate student. Not only did he accept me into CE’s MS program, he gave me a research assistantship on a project for which he was the PI. Thus began our friendship that lasted through his final days.

Bill’s athletic prowess is mentioned elsewhere, and it went beyond track and basketball. When another of his researchers, Jim Witkowski, wanted to form a softball team based in the College of Engineering, Bill happily signed up as first baseman and pitcher. With Jim W. or Mike Bass on second, Preston Herring at shortstop, and Ron Ruma and me in the outfield, CE was well represented.

I never could get him out on the ice, however.

As others have said, Bill was a mentor of the first order, helping his graduate students through their programs. He loved having foreign students in the program, with tens of countries and cultures represented. He emphasized the civil in civil engineering.

To me, his greatest achievement in education was as champion of the non-traditional student. I came back at age 32 to finish my PhD and I was not an outlier. Fred Coleman and Tom Maleck are other examples of students who had worked in industry and government before returning to graduate school.

More than his dedication to his profession, it is the friendship Bill, Norma, and the entire Taylor family extended to his students that made Bill’s tenure as chairman unique. Bill and Norma regularly opened their home to students, even hosting students who needed temporary housing. The notes from former students and colleagues bear out the friendship offered by the Taylors.

Bill will be missed by all.

I first met Bill around 1971 when he was a professor at Wayne State University Department of Civil Engineeing.  Since his passing I have spent considerable time considering what he has meant to my life.  

Without meeting Bill the following pivotal events in my life would never have occurred:
* I would never have attended graduate school at MSU. Bill made traffic engineering interesting and offered me a research assistantship that paid for my tuition, which I wouldn't have been able to afford.
* I would have never met my wife Lori, the woman of my dreams who I still adore to this day (43 years married).
* The children and grandchildren that I have would not exist.
* Some of the happiest years of my life occurred in East Lansing.
* In addition to Bill, I met other life long friends that I am still in contact with today. 
* I met Norma and their wonderful children.

I am so thankful for all of this.

The above photo is from our 1979 wedding when we were all much younger.

With much sadness and condolences to all:

James and Lori Witkowski



Traveling with a transportation engineer:

Multnomah Falls
Oregon

With Terri Desaro, Craig Nern, Norma, and Mary Carrick

Traveling with a transportation engineer:

Yankee Stadium
New York, New York

With Jim Carrick, Craig Nern, Jim Witkowski, and Mike Bass

Traveling with a transportation engineer:

Progressive Field
Cleveland, OH

With Mike Bass and Jim Carrick

Though I spent less than a year working under Bill at MSU in his capacity of Governor's Science Advisor, we built a friendship that has lasted almost 50 years.

Bill's ability to connect with people of all ages and from many places around the world was just one of his many unique qualities of strength, trust and warmth.

Playing basketball together with Bill while I was at MSU and for several times more on subsequent visits was so much fun.  Passing him the ball in the right corner invariably led to a Bill Taylor basket, usually against much younger players.

I looked forward to his visits passing through New York on his many globe trotting activities.  Even if we had not seen each other in a very long time, being with him was like being with family.

I loved Bill and will miss him very much.

Michael Bass

Traveling with a transportation engineer:

Spartan Stadium
East Lansing, MI

With Jim Witkowski, Craig Nern, and Terri Desaro

Traveling with a transportation engineer:

Yankee Stadium
New York, New York

With Lori and Jim Witkowski and Meagan, Brendan, Mary and Jim Carrick

Traveling with a transportation engineer:

Mt. Vernon
Alexandria, VA

With Mike Bass and Jim Carrick

To Mrs. Taylor and Family,
Dr. Taylor touched so many lives, with his knowledge, kindness, wisdom, passion to help students achieve their dreams, and gave so much. He leaves a legacy of engineering excellence and many professionals who owe their career and knowledge to him.  

Having been a BS and MS Civil Engineering student, he graced so many of our lives with his advising, teaching, research, ITE leadership, TRB leadership, and so much more. His open-door policy was sincere and so helpful.

Thank you for sharing Dr. Taylor with us!  He was truly a scholar, a humanitarian, and a wonderful man.

Sincere condolences,
Barbara Arens, PE, PTOE
MSU: BSCE 1985, MS 2002

Taylor family....I'm so sorry for your loss.

Bill was always an inspiration to the MSU IM West Basketball community.  Every time I would enter the gym at lunch, I would think of him and miss his friendship.  He made a lasting impression on all of us.

He will be missed.

Dear Taylor Family,

I am sorry for your loss and will send prayers to the family. My name is Matt and I was part of the group that played basketball with Bill. I would like to declare that he is the all-time leading scorer in that faculty/staff group that got together a couple times a week. As one player who played with Bill put it, "RIP nice soft baseline." He made so many baskets on that baseline. God bless him and all the good he did in this life and the legacy he left behind. It was an absolute pleasure knowing him through the game of basketball. 

What an amazing Uncle he was!  Growing up with him, he always had an ear to listen.  He was brilliant, but when he talked to you he made you feel like you were the smartest person in the room.  We talked about everything, especially school and sports.  His laughter and smile could fill a room.  He was always there when I needed him.  He will be missed.  I love you, Uncle Bill. RIP.

Bill, Wendy, and family. I am so very sorry for your loss.  He sounds like he was a wonderful man.

Diane Hudon

Dear Norma and the Taylor family,
A photo from the past...from my graduation ceremony, March 1985 - Dr. McKelvey was my advisor and Dr. Taylor was a member of my graduate committee.  Both provided inspiration and encouragement throughout my career. When I heard the news of Bill's passing , it bought back so many memories  - the many events for graduate students, the coffee chats, basketball, and above all, Bill's caring and kindness. Michigan State was a special place because of him. My 
thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.


Dr Taylor was an amazing and caring individuals. I took several graduate courses with him. He was one of the most intelligent professors I ever met. 
May god bless his sole. Rest in peace Dr. Taylor. We will never forget you and your kindness.

May his soul rest in peace. He was a great colleague and it was always heartwarming to see him every morning so dedicated to the department, even when he was retired.  I will never forget his dedication and our small chats on hallway.  He kept talking about his grandchildren and great grandchildren with so much love.  He will be missed for sure.

Bill and Norma were part of our First Fridays friendship group for more than 30 years. We ate together, laughed together, shared our lives together. Bill was smart, fun, and always up for a spirited political discussion. He was a kind, generous man, with a heart of gold. He was part of our family, too, Norma, and we will miss him very much. 
May he rest in peace, and may his memory be for a blessing. 
Jean and Marian

Doctor Taylor!
You will never be forgotten. 
This is the picture I took from him ( July 2018) when he came with Khalid to visit us in Paris. 
Shahla Ameri -Rinaldi

Dr. Bill Taylor gave me the inspiration to pursue my academic and career goals in civil transportation engineering. He was a great mentor and advisor. 

It is sad to hear of Bill passing but it is time to celebrate his life. I got to know Bill for more than 46 years. He was an early morning person, we competed daily for making the first pot of coffee. He was my mentor, the God Father of my son Michael. Bill and his wife Norma and family are very good friends. Bill kindness, professionalism, thoughtfulness, and humanity cannot be measured and I cannot find words to describe them. As an educator, Bill helped numerous students and professionals to be good engineers and to think the problems before decisions. Bill recruited many faculties to assist him in establishing the foundations of an undergraduate and graduate university abroad. Bill was also the main architect of a successful study abroad program. Bill greatest legacy is not just his immediate family; it is his family throughout the world who worked for him, worked with him, and those who was their advisor and mentor. My wife Siham and I and my children Michael and Michelle will miss him. May he rest in peace with God and may God give his family the power to celebrate his life and to keep his memory. 

This is not so much a condolence as a description of Bill's character. I played basketball with him for many years, but dropped out at the tender age iof 42. Bil kept going. One time he broke his thumb. I said "How are you ever going to get back into playing condition?" He aid "Oh, I go out three times a week and run up and down on the sidelines." True to his word and nature, as soon as his thumb healed, he was back on the court.

Go Bill!!

Ron Rosenberg

My mentor and close personal friend. Greatly missed. To the Taylor brood…persevere. 

Very saddened to learn about Bill’s passing.  I was his colleague for over 20 years.  I always admired his professionalism and his humble demeanor.  I always looked forward to the chats early morning around the coffee pot at work.

You will be missed Bill and may your memories be a blessing

Neeraj


I have known Bill for 40 years as an undergraduate and graduate student, and as a colleague. Bill was always so kind and thoughtful. He is a great example for all of us to follow. He was particularly kind to international students, and I still remember the first time I met him as a new incoming international undergraduate student in his office, which was decorated with all sorts of memorabilia from students and colleagues from various parts of the world.
May he rest in peace, and may God give the family strength to endure this loss.

It is hard to express my sorrow to hear the new that Dr. Taylor passed away. He is not only my academic advisor but also a spiritual mentor that supports my professional growth. I learned from him to be a morning person, hard work, sincerity and regular life. I was lucky to spend seven years with him at MSU as his student. Also, as his last Ph.D. student, I was so proud to serve with him as technical panel for the NCHRP project at DC after graduate. I pray and pass my deepest condolences to Norma and family.

In-Kyu “Q” Lim


This message is for Taylor family.  I am a 1981 graduate of Michgan State University school of Civil Engineering.  Dr. Taylor was the Chair of this Departement at the time.  

My sincere condolences to Dr. Taylor's family.  Dr. Taylor was such an amazing mentor, instructor and above all, a wonderful human being.  He was compassionate, kind and caring person.  As a foreign student I never forget that I  wanted to start my accademic program and I was 2 points short of required score of 80 score in Michgan Test.  They told me I need a recommendation from my accademic advisor in order to start my graduate program.  Dr. Taylor allowed me to start and told me to do my best.  I had a perfect 4.0 GPA in first term.   

May god bless his sole.  Rest in peace Dr. Taylor.  We will never forget you and your kindness.

I worked for Dr. Taylor for 18 years in the Civil & Envir Engineering department at MSU and also did some work for him after I left.  My mother had me bring in asparagus to sell and he was always so happy to take some home.  My mother also had rhubarb and one year she gave me a plant for Dr. Taylor.  He planted it in his yard and when they moved to the house he and Norma had built, he took that plant and planted it there.  Once in a while he would bring me some rhubarb.  At Christmas and for Secretaries week he always took the staff out to the University Club for dinner, and we continued that tradition of going to the U Club for Lunch several times a year.  I really felt as if he was a father figure to me and a very brilliant Civil Engineer.  I so enjoyed having him in my life.  He will surely be missed.

Dear Norma, dear Taylor’s family,
I can hardly believe that this great man has left us. He has been a true mark of great man, a true living legend, an extraordinary gentleman and a real advisor and a great friend.
It is an immense privilege to have been taught and worked with Doctor William Taylor former chairman of Civil Engineering at Michigan State University. He supervised my dissertation.
I remember his happy times playing basketball, travelling to different countries/ cities to visit his/ her students, and visiting us in Paris and above all his warm, kind, and generous nature.
He is always remembered with great affection.
My sincere condolences to you Norma. I share with whole heart your sorrow. He was talking highly about you and proud of his children and his grandchildren. A great man like him can never be forgotten.
May rest in peace.





Bill was the most amazing person that I have every met.  He was the chairman of my doctoral committee, mentor and friend. I am unable to express my sorrow. My condolences to his family.

Thomas L. Maleck, PhD,  PE

Dr. Taylor  was one of the first professors (and CE Chair) that I met at age 18 when I began my journey at MSU in 1979.  Always supportive through my B.S. to my Ph.D., he was a wonderful and wise teacher, mentor, colleague and friend.  I truly appreciate his wife and family sharing him with all of his students over the years.  I pray for his family and am so thankful the Lord allowed me to have Dr. Taylor in my life for so many years. 
Bellandra Foster, Ph.D., P.E. 

OBITUARY

Dr. William Clarence Taylor

February 19, 1937 – January 14, 2023

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

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