2938 TAYLOR, William McCaughey, died on the 21st of March 2021 aged 94 years.

                              An Obituary will be included in the 2021 Edition of The Old Campbellian magazine.

In Memoriam

22nd March 2021

Dear OC

I was saddened by the news yesterday of Bill Taylor's passing. He was a gentleman who was simply great to know, both encouraging and insightful. It was always a joy to visit with him and speak of days gone by, although I must say he never spoke of his RAF service. I believe this was something he had no wish to recollect and he locked it away.  

I have two or three thoughts about meeting Bill over my nine years at Campbell that I would like to share.  

The school first XV had to play a difficult away match against a local school. As I was walking into this school, there at the gate was Bill; having a smoke and loitering like a miscreant school boy. We chatted about the noise of the crowd and the prospective match outcome. I left Bill at the gate lest it be said of me that I was joining him in having a quick smoke as well. As I walked away, I thought what connects someone in their mid-80s with their old school? What brings Bill, whose children have long-gone from the College, still to this place? The best part of 70 years since he left, yet he is here to cheer the ‘Boys in Black.’ 

A few years ago I had the responsibility to conduct the Annual Service of Remembrance which Bill attended. His health had deteriorated to the extent he needed to come to the service in a wheelchair. Personally, I find the formality of those Services difficult; I find them filled with emotional angst, they are difficult to allow to flow as my normal need to be chatty or cheeky does not fit. Then, as we considered "those who will not grow old as... (those who are left grow old)..' struck home yet again. Bill’s attending reminded me once more of his commitment to the school, to his colleagues from his years at Belfast and in Portrush, and for his family connection over the years.  Bill did not need to speak to encourage, you just needed to be with him.  

And finally, when I went to visit him with Walter Murphy in December 2020.  Bill loved to chat. It was just prior to lockdown and we were to reminisce about our 'Men behind the Glass' Drama Production and the aspiration we have to build on it further. It was a great meeting and one I will always fondly remember. A few weeks later I received through the post an updated version of 'After our Heart attacks'. Bill's memoir, filled with fun, encapsulated in the title. I also received a draft copy of his most recent project, the musical that he had just finished. I thought once more, how wonderful it is to know Bill Taylor. Long will he live in my heart. 

Ne Obliviscaris

RM Robinson MBE

Headmaster