William "Bill" Louis Taetzsch, 91, passed into the presence of the Lord on March 13, 2022, while sleeping beside his wife of 69 years, (Grace) Juanita in their home at Covenant Living Windsor Park in Carol Stream, IL.

Bill grew up in Newark, New Jersey where he attended Weequahic High School. He was active in the Boy Scouts as a youth and continued lifelong friendships with eleven of his fellow scouts from Troop 5, Newark in an organization known as Natakqua (meaning "bound together"). Bill received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Newark College of Engineering (NJIT) and distinguished himself there in fencing, being accepted into the NJIT Sports Hall of Fame.

Bill met his wife, Juanita (Sammons) at a Valentine's Day dance sponsored by Juanita's nursing school (Presbyterian Hospital Nursing School, now Bloomfield College) and it was love at first sight for them both. After graduation and marriage in 1952, Bill worked for General Electric in Erie, PA, and Schenectady, NY, prior to serving two years in the US Army stationed in Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX. While in Texas, Bill and Juanita attended Immanuel Baptist where Bill accepted Christ as his Savior which significantly impacted his activities and interests going forward.

Upon discharge from the military, Bill joined Esso (Exxon) and continued there for 36 years primarily in their Bayonne, NJ and Bayway, NJ refineries as an engineer and environmental specialist until his retirement in 1992.

While living in New Jersey, he served in leadership and teaching roles as a member of Clinton Hill Baptist Church in Newark, First Baptist Church in Hillside, and Millington Baptist Church. In the late 1950's, he served with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association as volunteer counselor for the crusades held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Bill was a leader in local Christian Service Brigade Clubs for boys, serving on the board of directors for Northern Frontier Camp in the Adirondacks. He was elected to the Board of Education for the Township of Hillside, serving there from 1971 to 1974.

After residing in Hillside, Bill and Juanita made their homes in Basking Ridge, NJ, West Sand Lake, NY and finally, Carol Stream, IL.

Bill and Juanita enjoyed many summers entertaining friends and hosting their children and grandchildren at their summer home on Oquaga Lake in Deposit, NY. Bill traveled around the world with each of his grandchildren through a special trip with their grandpa to a destination of their choosing.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Grace Juanita Taetzsch,

Son: William (wife, Beverly, deceased) grandchildren: Will (Summer) Camilla; great grandchild Liam (Will and Summer),

Son: Michael (Janet), grandchildren: Calvin (Kylie), Amy Culhane (Brendon,) Hannah; great grandchildren Owen and Myles (Amy and Brendon)

Son: Daniel (Cindra) grandchildren: Emily, Sarah, Alison

Daughter: Colleen, grandchildren: Rebecca, Rachel, Daniel

Siblings: Donald Taetzsch, Lynne Taetzsch, Laura Kirsner, and Mary Azerbegi.

He was predeceased by his parents, William K. and Ella Taetzsch and his brother Robert Taetzsch.

A passage of scripture Bill found to be a guide for living was:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6

A memorial service and short reception will be held at 9:30 am on Friday, April 8, 2022 at the Windsor Park auditorium in Carol Stream, IL. A livestream of the service can be found here: Funeral Service Livestream

A private burial will be held at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery near Joliet, IL. A livestream of the burial can be found here: Burial Service Livestream

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Camp Cedarbrook in the Adirondacks, Northern Frontier Camp, or Wheaton College (IL).

Condolences can be sent to:  Mrs. G. Juanita Taetzsch at 124 Windsor Park Dr, Apt. C301, Carol Stream, IL 60188.

Links to memorial donation websites:

https://www.campcedarbrook.org/give/

http://northernfrontier.org/givetonf/

https://www.wheaton.edu/giving/