William Edward Taylor, Jr.

On October 15, 2022, William “Bill” E. Taylor, Jr. (74) died peacefully at his home among family and friends. He is survived by his wife Margaret, his two daughters Elinor and Katharin (‘Ellie’ and ‘Katie’). Bill is also survived by his sister Ellen and brother-in-law John Prior of Cheshire, Connecticut, their children and grandchildren.

Bill was born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 11, 1948 to William E. Taylor, Sr. and Elinor Costello Taylor, who imparted core values of education, patriotism, and public service. Bill earned an undergraduate degree in History at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts, a law degree at Suffolk University Law School in Massachusetts, and a Masters of Tax Law degree at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D.C., where he met his life-long partner Margaret Herrmann. After graduating from Georgetown, Bill served as legal counsel to the Capitol Police in Washington, D.C., before moving in 1985 to Margaret’s hometown, Portland, Oregon.

With his sharp wit, prodigious memory, and pragmatic political savvy, Bill established himself as an institutional mainstay in the Oregon Legislature for 28 years as Senior Counsel to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees. In the frenetic atmosphere of state legislative session, he advised elected officials on thousands of bills that addressed complex legal, criminal, and social issues of the day, including the passage of the nation’s very first Death with Dignity Act in 1997.

After Bill retired from the Oregon Legislature in 2013, the Taylor family moved to Port Townsend. Despite a cancer diagnosis, Bill pursued an active life kayaking, sailing, running, walking his dogs, physical training, reading history, cooking for family and friends, and kibbitzing with friends and acquaintances. Bill enjoyed interesting conversation (‘good craic’ in Irish parlance) and avoided commonplace exchanges, which he loudly branded “Boring!” He had a mischievous streak, occasionally wearing a kilt or an unconventional hat or wig or carrying a large, crooked walking stick—all props intended to amuse and occasionally embarrass more introverted friends. At the Rhododendron Parades, Bill was the man proudly carrying the American flag for the Democratic Party as a statement of his commitment to the fundamental principles underlying American government. Above all else, his favorite pastime was listening attentively to his beloved daughters, Ellie and Katie, and (if warranted) advising them on a broad range of academic, career, or personal decisions.

Fittingly, Bill utilized Washington’s Death with Dignity law to end his life the way he lived it: assertively, well-informed, in the company of family and friends, with sharp wit and good conversation, and with the courage of his convictions. He is sorely missed. If not for Death with Dignity, he would have lived his final few days bedridden under 24/7 care.

Many thanks to the wonderful staff at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Jefferson Memorial Hospital, and Jefferson Hospice.

Please send any memorials to the Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, College of the Holy Cross, or the Oregon State Capitol Foundation.