CENTRALIA — Billy C. “Pops” Taylor, age 79, of Centralia, IL, passed away on Saturday, March 16th, 2024 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon.

He was born on Saturday, December 2nd, 1944 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois to the late Clarence and Margie Taylor.

Billy was a dedicated school bus driver for Centralia High School and was a beloved member of the community. He was a proud supporter of Centralia High School, being known as a #1 Orphan fan. Pops and his fellow Baseball team members was inducted into the Centralia Sports Hall of Fame in 1962. He also served as an Assistant Annies Softball coach from 1986 to 1990 and was inducted into the Centralia Sports Hall of Fame in 2012 and awarded the VIP award and also the IBCA as a friend of basketball. Billy was also a member of the IBCA and enjoyed fishing as a guide fisherman in Wisconsin in his younger years. He also followed the Packers, and STL Cardinals teams. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him over the years.

Billy is survived by his loving wife: Wanda Taylor of Centralia, eight cousins, and special family friends: Jeff Campbell and wife Pam of Centralia, and Phil Venezia and wife Sandy of Springfield, IL. Also surviving is many Centralia Orphan fans and all the students he transported throughout the years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Margie Taylor, and father and mother-in-law Harry and Iva Mae Davenport.

A Funeral Service for Billy C. “Pops” Taylor will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia with Pastor Michael Thomason officiating. Per “Pops” request, everyone is to wear Orphans, STL Cardinals, or Green Bay Packers apparel to the visitation and service. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at the Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the CHS Booster Club and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street in Centralia, IL 62801 (618) 532-3523, which is honored to be of service to “Pops” family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Funeral Home’s Facebook page.