William “Bill” Wesley Taylor

William “Bill” Wesley Taylor, 80, of Hilliard passed away unexpectedly Sunday June 14th, 2026, at Riverside Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

Bill was born August 17th, 1945, in Akron Ohio to the late William Emerson Taylor and Norma Jean nee’ Dissinger. Bill fondly remembered early childhood with his parents, siblings and extended family in Akron’s North Hill, Cuyahoga Falls, Wooster Ohio and Middle Bass Island. Bill graduated from Wooster High School in 1963, where he excelled in English, creative writing, and was a champion orator and debater; this unique gift for public speaking would carry on and be perfected throughout his life.

Bill attended The Ohio State University and later Ohio Dominican College, majoring in criminal justice. Bill served four honorable years with the US Navy and was stationed on the USS America from 1966 – 1969 during the Vietnam Conflict.

Bill settled and remained in Columbus, Ohio. He would make a lasting impact on the Central Ohio community and law enforcement. He graduated from the Columbus Police academy in 1972 as class president and would serve as a Columbus Police Sergeant until retiring in 1995. His time at CPD included managing the police band Hot Pursuit and as a community liaison, public relations spokesperson, and hostage negotiator. He later worked for Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations as a quality assurance official, and also started the private security consulting group Bill Taylor and Associates.

Bill was a founding member of The Ohio Crime Prevention Association. Bill was a spokesperson for Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, where he served several terms as its founding and acting president.

More than his steadfast commitment to the law enforcement community, Bill is best known for what he affectionately referred to as his “fun job”, as traffic reporter Sergeant Bill Taylor. For 42 years, Bill was Central Ohio’s trusted on-air source for traffic, most noted in Sunny 95’s Yellow Thunder and on WCMH 4TV. He held earlier spots on WCOL AM and 92.3 FM.

Bill was an aviationon enthusiast and licensed pilot. He happily volunteered with Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton. He was a passionate military and history buff. With extensive knowledge of The Civil War and WWII, he authored several articles for publication.

As a Navy Veteran, Bill frequently said he had “salt in his veins” and was a self-described “marina rat”. One of his life’s most fulfilling adventureswas spent as a skilled pleasure sailor and licensed boat captain. For many years, Bill progressively conquered bigger and bigger boats ultimately spending summers at the helm of his beloved Terra Nova sailing vessel, cruising the Lake Erie waters.

Bill was a voracious reader and lover of bookstores; a golfer; classic movie and music patron; and Cleveland sports fan. 

Bill was most fortunate to find and marry his devoted wife Catherine (nee’ Reuschlein). She survives. Bill and Cathy spent many happy decades as ‘Captain and First Mate’ sailing the Lake Erie Islands, traveling the US and abroad, and spoiling the grandkids!

In addition to his wife of 25 years, Bill is survived by his daughter Leslie (Aaron) Bass of Powell; son Jon Taylor of Reynoldsburg; grandsons Alexander Bass of Denver CO and Michael (Cristina) Bass of Delaware; sister Marilyn (Tim) Caughenbaugh of Fort Myers FL; step-daughter Lynn Mathewes of Greenville SC; step-grandaughter Zhanna Krainev of Los Angeles CA. sisters-in-law Carole and Connie, brothers-in-law Tom and Randy; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; many longtime Lake Erie boating friends. In addition to his parents, Bill is also preceded in death by his brother Thomas Taylor; in-laws Clifford and Elizabeth Reuschlein; sister-in-law Nancy Reuschlein; and step-grandson Viktor Krainev.

Arrangements are being handled by Tidd Funeral Home in Hilliard. Bill’s wishes were to be cremated. A memorial service will be held on at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bill’s honor to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers PO BOX 16038, Columbus OH 43216