Steven A. Taylor , 80, of Rock Island, IL, passed away Saturday, January 22, 2022 at Silver Cross Nursing Center, Rock Island.

No public services are planned; a private Mass of Christian burial will be at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rock Island. Inurnment will be at a later date in Farlow Grove Cemetery, Matherville, IL. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island, is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Steven was born September 11, 1941 in Rock Island, Illinois, a son of William and Maude Hartman Taylor. He married Mary F. Daughton on October 4, 1969 in Springfield, IL.

A man who dreamed big, Steven set off after graduating college to live an adventurous and meaningful life. After a year of surfing the Pacific and camping on beaches, Steven sought to make a difference by working as an educator in disadvantaged communities. During his early 20s, Steven served as a teacher on a Native-American Reservation in North Dakota and taught English in Brownsville, Texas. He also worked for a time as a teacher in the Chicago area.

Steven received his Master's degree in counseling. He was a teacher and counselor for many years at Scott Community College, Davenport, IA, and later with Blackhawk Community College, Moline. He retired in 2004.

Steven also sought to better the world through activism and was a strong proponent of social justice. Steven was a strong supporter of Native American rights and racial equality. While marching in Selma, Steven's commitment to racial equality was further solidified from witnessing the shocking violence and intolerance levied towards the participants of the peaceful march. Steven became a man of deep and unwavering conviction, and would always stand for what he believed to be right and just.

Steven enjoyed European sports cars, having a beloved Jaguar XKE that he had to sell when his son was born, of which the son was often reminded. Although of Irish decent, he preferred good Scotch whisky to good Irish whiskey, though he would happily have a dram of either in a pinch. He and his wife Mary travelled often to Ireland, visiting family and friends. While they travelled frequently and loved to tour Europe, Ireland held a special place in their hearts. For more than 40 years, Steven and Mary hosted a grand St. Patrick's Day celebration at their home, and Steven could always be counted on to sing some Irish ballads with a whisky in hand, quite possibly while wearing a kilt.

Steven's happiest and finest years came in retirement, where he doted on his three grandchildren. After building their dream home in Steven's hometown of Matherville, IL., Steven worked to create a natural wildlife refuge on his backyard acreage. It was upon this acreage that Steven would take his eldest grandchild Billy on "nature walks" while pointing out the creatures that inhabited the refuge, both real and imagined. To this day, Billy swears he witnessed a Tiger in those woods.

There is much more that could be said of the man, but what has been said above paints the portrait of who Steven was – a wonderful husband, father and grandfather who loved his family with undying loyalty. He was a man who had a zest for life, and while he was often disappointed in the nature of men, he never lost his belief that the world will get better. While his family grieves, it should be known that the world is a bit less bright without Steven.

Steven was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rock Island.

Surviving are his wife, Mary, of Rock Island; son, Steven Taylor, and his wife Kyoung, Rock Island; daughter, Christina Henzen, and her husband Derek, Denver, IA; grandchildren, William P. Taylor, Evan Taylor and Dagen Henzen; and sister, Sandra G. Lindley, Silvis, IL.

Steven was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Billie Dawn Adams.