William Taylor ‘Bill’ – Obituary Jan. 1935 – June 2026

William (“Bill”) Taylor
25th January 1935 – 11th June 2026

Bill was born in Worksop, Notts., in 1935 and attended Retford Grammar School by train every day. During this time, Bill had a part-time job at a bike shop where his love of cycling and sports started. He cycled competitively for many years.

Following his time at Grammar School, Bill began his career as a pharmacist, working at Boots while attending college two days a week. Bill completed his pharmacy studies at Sunderland University.

In 1959, Bill had to pause his career to reluctantly do his national service, where he spent most of his time in the post room or delivering post to various bases on his trusty motorbike.

In the early ’60s, Bill married Alice Parkin, and they lived in Lincoln where their daughter Sally was born. After they moved to New Way Road in Evington, their son Simon was born.

When Bill moved to Leicester, he first worked at Cecil Jacobs in the City Centre as a pharmacist and then moved to Sampson’s Chemist in Oadby where he worked for 24 years as a pharmacist and manager, becoming a key member of the community through his professionalism, trust, advice, and general willingness to help others. He was also an active member of the Pharmaceutical Society.

Bill’s hobbies were many. He loved cycling, motorbikes, Formula One, going to Mallory Park regularly, and even to Le Mans for the 24-hour car race one year. Bill also loved rugby, supporting the Leicester Tigers both at home and away. He was a keen amateur photographer and had an allotment in Evington, taking great pride in growing his own fruit and vegetables.

In the early ’90s, sadly, Bill’s wife Alice died. By then, Bill’s son had married and gone on to have two children, Alice and William. Bill was extremely proud of his grandchildren and played a very active part in their lives.

In the late ’90s, Sampson’s Chemist closed its doors for the final time, and Bill found himself working as a pharmacist in the newly opened pharmacy in Asda, Oadby, where he met Diane. They went on to marry in March 2001 and continued to live in Evington, now in a bungalow. Bill and Diane felt they were both blessed for their families to have blended so seamlessly.

Bill then worked at Mistry’s in Market Harborough and finished his career at Sainsbury’s in Oadby. In all his working career, Bill never had a day off due to illness.

After his retirement, there were lots of happy times with Diane looking after the grandchildren, taking them on holiday, and watching Leicester Tigers as season ticket holders. Bill was still very active, although he gave up his allotment but continued with his gardening at home and car maintenance.  Bill loved a bargain and often went to Leicester Market to buy a large amount of fruit, which all needed to be eaten within 48 hours, a challenge he relished. He was very good at fixing almost anything. Bill also became quite competent on a laptop after joining a course for seniors. It was also during this time in his life that Bill had the proud moment of walking his daughter Sally down the aisle on her wedding day.

Bill found time to volunteer for the Evington Echo, doing some distribution work. By now, Bill’s health was starting to deteriorate, but he still enjoyed celebrating his 90th birthday last year at home with his family around him. This year, Bill and Diane celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and also Diane’s 70th birthday at Eden Café in Evington Village.

Bill will be remembered as a kind and devoted family man who could always be relied on in anyone’s hour of need.

Diane Taylor