Robert Lee Taylor

Robert L. Taylor, age 83, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2021 in Billings, Montana with his wife and daughters by his side. Bob was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on December 3, 1937 and joined two sisters Helen and Lula Mae. The family moved from Utah to Lacrosse, Wisconsin where Lulu met and married an Army man Clarence Coons. From this marriage in 1940, another sister, Patti Ann was born. In 1944 the family moved back to Lulu's hometown, Worland. Bob attended Worland schools through his junior year and in July of 1955, he joined the US Marine Corps where he served for four years. While in the Marines, he also completed his high school education by getting a GED from Coleville High School, Coleville, California. After his discharge, he again returned to Worland to be with his mother and went to work for Coors Distributing, BJ Service, and Crown Cork & Seal until he found his true passion in the Worland Fire Service in May 1969. After going through the ranks of the fire department, he became Fire Chief in 1977, and in February 1978, he became the first paid District Fire Chief. Chief Taylor was instrumental in hiring the first female fire fighter, a new fire station, public education in the schools, and becoming the first volunteer fire department in a five-state region to obtain an ISO 3 rating. He also served on numerous committees within the state and national fire service.

Following his retirement in 2001, he enjoyed spending his spare time with his cousin, Ron Study. They did a lot of hunting and doing numerous projects that included building a pole barn that housed all their toys. His only regret for his time in the fire service was that his three daughters grew up while he was giving his all.

Bob met his wife Dorothy in Worland on July 17th which would become their wedding date a year later. Over their 61 years of marriage, they enjoyed numerous trips with the fire service, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, and camping in Wyoming and 11 years of being snowbirds to Overton, Nevada.

Those preceding him in death were his mom, Lulu Coons; stepdad, Clarence Coons; and sisters, Lula Mae Anderson, Helen Miller, and Patti Nordstrom.

Bob is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughters: Brenda, (Charlie) Russell, Pamela (Donold) Aagard, and Stephanie (Travis) Garska; grandchildren: Alex Russell and Missy, Anna and Jeramie Meadows, Thomas Russell, Tara and Travis White, Brian and Heather Aagard, Mitchell and Gabby Aagard, Brittany and Jeremy Recknor, Amber and Cody Sandfort, Shelby and Ty Davis, and T.J. and Hannah Garska; and great-grandchildren: Aleana, Jaxon, Bentley, Oliver, Esme, Kadence, Robert, Sydni, Serenity, Wyatt, Waivlynn, Axel, and Maverick.

A celebration of life for Chief Taylor will be held at 3:00 pm, October 2, 2021 at Railway Park next to the fire station. Military honors will be provided by the US Marines and American Legion Post #44 Memorials can be made to the Worland Fire Department and sent to PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.