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Type:
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Resolution
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Status:
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Adopted
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Intro date:
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9/6/2017
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Current Controlling Legislative Body:
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Title:
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Tribute to late William H. Taylor, Jr.
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Attachments:
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1. R2017-742.pdf
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RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, God in His Infinite Wisdom has called William H. Taylor Jr., fondly called "Hank" a most beloved son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather and friend devoted servant and community advocate, to his eternal reward on Monday, August 14, 2017; and
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago has been informed of his passing by the Honorable Gregory I. Mitchell, Alderman of the 7th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in the Jeffery Manor Community, to William and Thelma Taylor, William was the second of four children born to this union. William attended and graduated from Luella Elementary School and Bowen High School. William was known for his humor, enormous smile and love for the community. Immediately following high school, William attended Southern A&M University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for two years and majored in accounting; and
WHEREAS, William met lifelong friend Jeannie Watson at the age 10. After beginning a long-term relationship as teenagers, they were blessed with a daughter Tanya Alisia, in 1984. In 1988, William married Deatrice Ivory. Their first child, Cherece Linn, was born in 1989 and their second child, De'Anna Patrice was born in 1991. He loved his grandchildren unconditionally; and
WHEREAS, In 1986, William returned to Chicago and the Jeffery Manor Community and began working for Corn Products International as a Clerk and later was promoted to Railroad Conductor. While there, William became a proud graduate of Chicago State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration in 2000. He was also a union trustee and representative from 1996-2004, first for the Oil Chemical & Atomic Workers International Union Local 7-507, where his responsibilities included managing a $1 million dollar annual budget and later, for the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Pace Local 6-0507;and
WHEREAS, In 1992, William accepted Christ and joined Evangelistic Crusaders Church of God in Christ. He was ordained as a deacon in October 2001 and remained a member until 2008. The following year, he joined Prayer and Faith Outreach Ministries, where he served as deacon. He was as chief adjutant from 2010-2012 while completing a Master's degree in Theology from Chicagoland Christian Center Bible Institute and Theological Seminary. He remained a faithful member at the time of his passing; and
WHEREAS, William's journey as a community activists started in 1993 with his daughter's school, where he was the founder and chair of Robert H. Lawrence Elementary School Parent Patrol and Vice President of Robert H. Lawrence Elementary Local School Council and Reading Tutor, which kicked off his interest into politics; and
WHEREAS, William's core belief was that if you are not a part of the solution you are a part of the problem. In 1994 until 2007, Hank became a member of the 7th Ward Democratic Organization under the former Alderman/Committeeman William M. Beavers. As a Precinct Captain, William gained knowledge of how the Democratic Party worked. His passion was helping people and that's what set him apart from the rest. He thoroughly enjoyed meeting and
talking with the residents and they enjoyed talking to him. He also served as a member of the 7 Ward Young Democratic Organization, assisting youth with mentorship programs, trips to museums, school supplies, Halloween parties, Easter egg hunts making sure that the children in the community had exposure to life outside of the community. The motto "when you know better you do better" is why he continued on the path of servicing the community. In 2002, William's desire to make a change lead him to become a candidate for Illinois State Senate, 17th Legislative District. In 2006, William served as Chief of Staff for former Alderman Darcel Beavers; and
WHEREAS, In 2007 until 2011, William worked for the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office where he hired, trained and completed performance appraisal for eight members of the Intake Department. He coordinated activities with the Cook County State's Attorney Office -Victim/Witness Assistance Unit and Chicago Police Department Homicide Division - Area 2; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, William became campaign manager for 7th Ward Aldermanic candidate Greg Mitchell, his longtime friend. His strategic knowledge of the ward and his management of field operations help defeat eight candidates in the February 2015 general election. William became the 7th Ward Superintendent for the City of Chicago Streets and Sanitation Department in July 2015, where he was determined to make a difference in the appearance of the 7th Ward. You would often see William riding around checking on violations that plague the community. William's commitment to the community never stop he was the President of the Bradley Park Advisor Council. William, along with other members of the council, fought to bring programs to the park, such as movie nights, concerts and working on funding to extend the field house. William loved his job and community. He held the job of 7th Ward Superintendent until the time of his death; and
WHEREAS, He will forever be remembered for his unwavering legacy of faith, ability to make every person feel valued, uncompromising integrity, humbling kindness, dedicated sense of duty, especially to his family, father William, his daughters Tanya and Cherece, his sister Daryl "Cookie", his grandchildren, aunts, uncles and a host of nieces, nephews, church family, colleagues and the community; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this sixth day of September, 2017, do hereby commemorate and bestow our tremendous gratitude and respect of life and service of William "Hank" Taylor Jr., for his many contributions across our great city and do hereby extend to his family and friends our sincere condolences.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the Taylor Family.
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