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William McTaggart Obituary
Bill was born at home on April 7, 1938, in Rosedale, Kan. to Donald and Geneva (James) McTaggart. He graduated from Washington High School, Kansas City, Kan., in 1956. He then attended Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kan., where he served as the athletic mascot Gus the Gorilla. Subsequently he enlisted in the United States Army.
Upon being discharged from the U.S. Army in June of 1964, Bill returned to Kansas City, Kan. He held several jobs, such as a milkman, a restauranteur, and a furniture store owner, before moving to Lawrence, Kan., in 1976, where he worked as a warehouse freight handler. In 1978, Bill became a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. He made many friends serving residences and businesses in Lawrence. He retired from the post office in 2004 after 26 years of service.
Bill was an avid hobbyist. His interests included gardening, photography, and curating his collections of autographs, stamps, first-day covers, trading cards, precious metals and coins, works of art, rare books, unique figurines and many other items. He loved going to garage and estate sales in search of items to add to his ever-growing collections. He was always on the lookout for a good deal!
Bill married Edith Mullins in 1963. They had four children together. They divorced in 1974. On April 19, 1980, he met Shannon Royer, and in 2004, 24 years to the day later, they married.
He is survived by his wife, Shannon, daughters Vanessa J. Russell of Austin, Texas, and Sharron Arnold (Scott) of Wichita, Kan., sons William J. McTaggart III of Topeka, Kan., and Gregory D. McTaggart of Eudora, Kan., nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Linda Walter, and two grandsons.
A celebration of life will begin at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 12, at Family Church of Lawrence with Pastor Ron Channell officiating. The family suggests attendees wear Hawaiian or colorful shirts and/or jeans to the service if they wish in honor of Wild Bill. The family will greet visitors an hour before the service at Family Church of Lawrence.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Family Church of Lawrence at 906 N. 1464 Road, Lawrence, KS 66049; Great Lakes Caring Hospice at GreatLakesCaring.com or Baldwin Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center at 1223 Orchard Lane, Baldwin City, KS 66006 and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William McTaggart
Channette Alexander
January 15, 2019
Shannon, I was so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. My prayers are with you and the family.
January 14, 2019
Shannon, remembering Wild Bill from the old days at an East Lawrence holiday party. A kind soul. With sympathy, Karen Dawber
Tanya Robb
January 13, 2019
Sorry for your loss, he will be missed at Family Church of Lawrence
David Holroyd
January 12, 2019
I learned of Bill McTaggart before I ever met him while working at Kmart Dist Center. His aunt Alice McTaggart was a teacher at my high school and she talked about her nephew Bill who was in Lawrence. She was extremely proud of him. She was a brilliant mind and certainly that spark of genius continued with Bill. He always had time to visit even as his health declined I remember he and I were at an estate sale and he wanted to talk about his kids and Shannon, whom he loved dearly. I will miss seeing his smile and his energy. If there is any chance that upon death one runs into those who have also passed, Bill can be sure that Aunt Alice will be waiting to have a "talk" with a very favorite nephew.
Kathy Proctor
January 11, 2019
Shannon,
I am so sorry to hear about Bill's passing. I fondly remember all the Bible studies we had at your house and at mine, and how interesting, knowledgeable, and fun Bill was. My prayers are with you; God is with you, too, and will provide strength and comfort. My sincere sympathy to you and your family.
Jeannie Russell
January 9, 2019
Sorry to hear about Grandpa with a Beard! He was a great guy! I got the privilege to spend time with him as a caregiver for awhile last year. I know he will be dearly missed by family and friends. Prayers for Shannon and the family!
Myrl James
January 9, 2019
May he rest in peace .
January 8, 2019
The planet is a less interesting place with Bill's passing. So sorry for all his friends and family.
Connie/Chuck Van Ness
January 8, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Remember all of the wonderful memories you have had with him.
Mary Prewitt
January 8, 2019
I always said that Bill got me through law school. I lived across Elm Street from him during those years and whenever I got burned out on studying or just needed a break, Bill would be ready with a beer. We'd shoot darts or just shoot the bull for a while. He was, by a long shot, one of the nicest people I've ever known. He definitely made the world a better place for me for a while. I have missed him many times since then and will continue to. My sincerest condolences to Shannon and all his family.
Drew
January 8, 2019
So sorry to hear about Wild Bill. He was a lot of fun to work with at the P.O. Outrageous at times. He made me laugh, always the sign of a good guy.
Drew
January 8, 2019
So sorry to hear about Wild Bill. I loved working with him at the P.O. A real character, outrageous at times. He made me laugh, always the sign of a good guy.
Andy Tuttle
January 8, 2019
I am saddened to hear of Bill's passing. He was truly one of a kind.
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Warren-McElwain Mortuary & Cremation Services - Lawrence Chapel120 W 13th St, Lawrence, KS 66044
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