Wilford Robert “Bob” Taylor, of Rogers, Arkansas.

Wilford Robert “Bob” Taylor, of Rogers, Arkansas, departed this life on December 10, 2024, after 82 memorable years. He entered this world March 10, 1942, in Minden, Louisiana, the son of Vernon Wilford Taylor and Sunshine (Crow) Robertson. On November 1, 1995, Bob was joined in marriage to Kenneta (Beaulieu). They shared 29 years together.

As a young man growing up in Louisiana, Bob gained an appreciation and love for hunting and fishing in the outdoors, a solid work ethic, and respect for his elders. This was ingrained in him by his grandmother, his mother and several others in his life who helped raise him. At an early age, Bob developed into a great athlete, excelling in every sport he played. This competitive drive grew into a deep love and passion for sports, especially baseball and football. This stayed with him throughout his life and even into his twilight years. As a young man, Bob competed in sports through high school and into college. He played football for Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, graduating after three years with a bachelor’s degree in history.

Upon graduating college, Bob began his service to this country by enlisting in the United States Navy, where he attended and completed Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned as an Officer and Navigator, while serving on the U.S.S. Telfair during the Viet Nam War. Afterwards, Bob served in the U.S. Navy reserves for an additional 13 years. He was proud of his service to the country he dearly loved.

After service to his country, Bob found his way to Northwest Arkansas, where he would devote the next 52 years as a financial advisor. During this time, Bob served his community by pouring into the lives of countless young men in Rogers, teaching and mentoring them in baseball, the sport he loved so dearly. As a coach, Bob imparted knowledge and discipline, from Little League and Babe Ruth to High School and American Legion.

He served as the American Legion State Commissioner of Arkansas for many years. Later in his coaching career, Bob received the fruits of his labor of love by coaching alongside of some of his former players. He believed that any job worth doing was worth doing well. He never expected perfection, but he did expect his players to give their best, and it showed on the field and in their lives as they grew into men. His influence and love he had for the kids he coached and mentored will live on for generations in Rogers youth baseball.

Bob loved the outdoors and time creating memories with his son John and John’s “brothers” hunting, fishing and relaxing at his cabin in Clifty (which he built from the ground up). When he was not coaching on the baseball field, Bob’s other favorite place in the whole world was sitting on the deck of his cabin, enjoying the beauty of God’s creation admiring the night sky. It gave him a “Peaceful Easy Feeling” as he would sit and “Listen To The Music” created by the nature around him.

His great sense of humor, funny stories and wise sayings will be remembered for many years, but the one bit of advice Bob leaves for us is in his own words:

“Burn what is left of me and scatter the ashes to the wind to help the flowers grow. If you must bury something, let it be my faults and my weaknesses. If by chance you do wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or words to someone who needs them.”

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Ella Crow; his mother, Sunshine Robertson; and his first wife, Saundra “Merle” Taylor, the mother of his children.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Kenneta Taylor; his three children: Monica Taylor, Kelly Bouck, and John Taylor and wife Brooke; his grandchildren: Jack Taylor, Lauren Taylor, and Taylor Bouck; stepson, Chad Rasmussen and wife Destinie; stepdaughter, Dena Corbino; step-grandchildren: Hunter Corbino, Taylor Sheager, Gianna Corbino and Faran Soderlund.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held Monday, December 16, 2024, at First Baptist Church, Rogers, Arkansas, with Pastor Steve Scroggins officiating. Visitation is from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, with service following the visitation. Inurnment with full military honors will be held at Rogers Cemetery. Memorials in memory of Bob may be made to: Samaritan’s Purse www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/donate-online/ Shriners Hospitals for Children www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/giving St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital www.stjude.org/donate Wounded Warrior Project https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/ or to Tunnel to Towers Foundation https://t2t.org/donate/.

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks, Hollister, Missouri. To share a memory of Bob or to leave a condolence message to his family please visit www.cremationsoftheozarks.com.