The city of Lake Station is mourning the passing of Assistant Police Chief William “Billy” Taylor, who died Wednesday following surgery.
Taylor was 57. He’s survived by wife Jennifer; three daughters and a stepdaughter; mother Linda Taylor; and three siblings.
“Assistant Chief Billy Taylor was one of those rare people whose presence made every room a little brighter and every day a little better,” said Mayor Bill Carroll. “He had a warm heart, a generous spirit, and a way of making people feel seen and valued.”
His sister, Kim Frizzell, said she and her brother “played cops” as kids and he grew up in Lake Station aspiring to be a police officer.
A burly man who became a champion powerlifter, Taylor was described by relatives as a “teddy bear and gentle giant.” His family worried he wouldn’t have the temperament to work in law enforcement.
Frizzell said her brother joined the New Chicago Police Department in 1990 and became a Lake Station police officer about 1993. He became assistant chief about two years ago.
One of Taylor’s passions was weightlifting. Frizzell said her brother became a champion powerlifter and held many records.
She said what she’ll remember most is his affection for his community and friends.
“I feel like he’s the George Bailey of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’” she said of Jimmy Stewart’s character in the popular Christmas movie.
“You could have a bad day and you’d meet my brother and he’d make you feel good. He would do anything for anyone. He has the biggest, kindest heart.”
Lake Station Police issued a statement saying it “encourages the community to honor Officer Taylor’s memory, celebrate his contributions, and continue to uphold the values he exemplified throughout his life.”
Carroll said in grief the community can hold on to the ways Taylor touched their lives through his compassion, honesty and loyalty.
“Those qualities don’t fade; they live on in every life he helped, every memory he left behind, and every person who was better for having known him.
“May his legacy bring comfort and may the love he shared continue to shine through all who carry his memory forward,” Carroll said.
Visitation for Taylor will be from 2-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home, 9000 W. 151st St. in Orland Park, Illinois.
Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Jubilee Worship Center, 415 Hobart Road in Hobart.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.