Benjamin Edward Taylor's Obituary
Obituary
Benjamin Edward Taylor, M.D., 97, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 11, 2018 in Springdale, Arkansas. With his loving daughter, Marsha, at his side. Dr. Taylor was born March 18, 1920 in Conway, Arkansas to the late Benjamin and Janie Taylor. A general practitioner and general surgeon in Manteca, California since 1956. Dr. Taylor graduated from Bigelow High School in Bigelow, Arkansas and attended Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway where he met his wife, Sibyl Elizabeth Bostick in 1940. Dr. Taylor was a member of the NYA student program and the National Guard. Dr. Taylor’s National Guard Unit was mobilized after Pearl Harbor was bombed in December of 1940.
Dr. Taylor married his wife of 68 years on July 11, 1941. They traveled together all over the United States from duty station to duty station while Dr. Taylor trained with the Army Air Corps until he was stationed overseas first in the Aleutian Islands, then in England where he was a radio operator during D-Day and finally traveling across Europe as it was liberated from the Nazis. Dr. Taylor then returned home to the United States, attending college at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and the University of the Pacific in Stockton California. Dr. Taylor attended medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences from 1950 to 1954 where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Medicine and a Doctor of Medicine Degree. Dr. Taylor attended internship at San Joaquin General Hospital in Stockton, California and Residency at Mercy County Hospital in Merced, California. Dr. Taylor established his private practice in Manteca, California in 1956, where he took over the long time practice of Dr. Galt on Lincoln Avenue. Dr. Taylor had the help of his loving wife, Sibyl, to manage the practice, assist in medical procedures and be his biggest champion. Dr. Taylor practiced as a General Practitioner and General Surgeon with a subspecialty in Surgical Assistance until 2011. Dr. Taylor was a long time staff member of St. Joseph’s Hospital and Dameron Hospital in Stockton, California. Dr. Taylor was a member of the San Joaquin County Medical Society and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Alumni Caduceus Club. He was a member of the Ripon Church of Christ in Ripon, California. Dr. Taylor will be remembered as a talented and compassionate physician as well as an avid gardener, poet, artist, writer and linguist. He was a diehard Democrat who loved politics as much as he did religion. Dr. Taylor never knew a stranger, his southern manners and accent always shining through, both of which he was extremely proud. He acknowledged everyone’s worth and humanity whether it be to assist a patient, their family or his many friends and colleagues. Dr. Taylor was married for 68 years to his loving wife, Sibyl who preceded him in death on September 17, 2009. Dr. Taylor leaves behind his devoted daughter, Marsha K. Taylor, M.D. of Rogers, Arkansas and sister, Catherine Fowler of Bigelow, Arkansas. He is also survived by Lynda Seelye and grandchildren, Matthew Seelye and Katie Seelye. Dr. Taylor was preceded in death by his son, Matthew Edward Taylor; siblings, Daniel Otto Taylor, John Paul Taylor and parents, Benjamin Daniel and Janie Inez Hendrickson Taylor.
Graveside service will be at 2:00pm, Saturday, February 24, 2018 at Volman Cemetery in Bigelow, Arkansas with full military honors.
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