Former Culver City Junior High School Principal Dies Wednesday

William Owen Taylor went home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011.  He died of natural causes at his home in Lamar, Missouri.

Mr. Taylor was born on Feb. 8, 1901 in Brookfield, Mo.  He graduated from the old high school where he lettered in every sport, became a football hero, and held several athletic records, which were not bested for several decades.  He then went to Missouri Valley College and did the same, ending up in the Athletic Hall of Fame.  He was chosen to play with the pro team in Kansas City but, during the practice season his career was cut short due to cracked vertebrae. 

Loving the sport of football, Mr. Taylor went on to become a coach (and teacher).  He honed his coaching skills in Macon and then came home to distinguish his town by coaching the record breaking 1947 Bulldogs football team. 

Mr. Taylor was the Weston School Superintendent in 1949 and pushed for the redistricting of that school district to save the school from extinction.  Although redistricting passed and the much stronger West Platte District was formed, his campaigning for this change was not popular and his contract was not renewed.  Dad figured this would happen, however, he knew this was the best thing for the town.

In the 1950s, when Mr. Taylor first started in Culver City, California (junior high) he had to start over.  He was first a teacher (PE, math & science) and worked his way up from there.   As a PE teacher he would promise any student who could beat him in a foot race, an “A,” (AND THEY NEVER DID).  He went on to be a counselor, then the vice principal.  Finally, he was made principal and considered this school his "BABY." He dedicated himself to the facility, the teachers, and especially the students as he took a deep personal interest in every student that crossed his path.  He was available to all 24/7/365 in any capacity needed.  His wife often felt like a widow during the school term.

Students would to come to his house just to talk to him and get his advice.  Everyone respected him.  Even when he was a vice principal the students liked him.  He just had this respectful and fair way of disciplining.  All he had to do is give you this look.  People just wanted to please him.

He never missed a school activity or a days work.  He retired one year early, with pay, because of all of the stored up sick leave.  He refused to allow his family to throw an open retirement reception because he said he was just doing his job.

He and his wife, Maida, retired in 1975 to the small town of Lamar, Mo. where he taught biology class at the high school, became a chemist at a local industry, and was substituting at the age of 90.  He had to quit his substituting job when his wife became ill.  He then nursed her for three years until her death in 2005.

Perhaps the best way to eulogize Mr. Taylor is to quote from a letter he received from a former Culver City student on his 100^th birthday.  This letter was written by Kitt Christopher Calton-Whippern, Ph.D. (an engineer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center).

“… I remember you as a man of sincere honesty, integrity and gentle character…of all the teachers and administrators, principals and athletic coacher I had at Culver City, I remember you the most. 

Perhaps most of all, despite the fact that you held a position of high authority over “us students,” you always strove to be fair.  You were fair in your assessments, fair in your judgments; and willing to give a kid a chance to explain his (or her) side of an issue.  You were never overly harsh, but were ready to give anyone the benefit of doubt.  I always admired that quality in you … but, during those years, and especially when I had supervisory responsibilities over junior personnel, I would invariably remember you, and how you were with us. 

When a situation would arise requiring disciplinary action, I would to the best of my ability try to emulate you gentle calm and reserve; your civility and graciousness, which I never saw you to fail to show others.   Whenever I hear the word “gentleman,” I always think of you as the model, the standard against all others are to be judged.  I wanted you to know how important you have been to me, how deeply you have touched my life, and to thank you.  Thank you for the privilege of having known a man like you.”

This aptly describes a man who never showed any gender, ethnic, social status or religious bias against anyone.  He did not smoke, drink or swear.  His sense of humor was always present even days before his death.  He was a tribute to his generation and a lesson to all generations that followed. 

Mr. Taylor is survived by his sister Octavia (Taylor) Straub of New Haven, his daughter Karen Taylor (Grounds, Laird) of Lamar, his grandson Gene L. Grounds of Lamar, his granddaughter Patricia L. (Laird) Sullivan of Oxford, CT, six great grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.  He will be missed.

A visitation will be held at the Daniel Funeral Home in Lamar, MO on Tuesday, Nov. 1  6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  On Wednesday, Nov. 2 there will be a graveside funeral at 2:30 p.m. at the Oak Grove Cemetery across from Oakton Methodist Church, the church he attended every Sunday.

The family requests that flowers not be sent.  If anyone wishes to acknowledge the life of William Taylor please make a donation, in his name, to the Culver City Athletic Booster’s Club.