William B. Taggart

William B. Taggart, 79, of Kennebunk, died February 1 at the Maine Medical Center in Portland.He was born in Pittsburgh, PA on March 18, 1935, the son of William A. and Caroline (Ketter) Taggart. He was a graduate of St. Canice High School in Pittsburgh and attended the University of Pittsburgh.Bill was a veteran of the US Air Force having served in Japan and at McCord Air Force Base in Washington state. He then served several years in the Air Force reserve specializing in reconnaissance photography and earning a marksmanship medal.He loved to fly and earned his private pilot's license.Bill was employed for a time in the accounting department of Jones & Laughlin Steel Company in Pittsburgh. He then worked for 36 years with Sears Roebuck and Company catalog division, retiring as the Northeast Regional Manager. In his retirement, he owned his own Sears store for three years in Pennsylvania.Bill was a natural leader and had the innate ability to recognize an individual's potential. He had many lifelong friends from his years as a "travelling man," especially his two amigos Bob Bender and Frank Fauble. He was a man of deep faith and integrity and he will be loved forever.Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Theresa (Len) Taggart of Kennebunk, son Michael Shawn Taggart of Kennebunk, daughter Kelly A. Martinelli and her husband Donald and granddaughter Tarrah Martinelli of Lantana, FL, sister Carol A. Czarniecki and her husband Clifford of Columbus, PA.Also surviving are his extended family, sister in law Joyce Roach, brother in law Joseph Len and his wife Joan, nieces and nephews John and Julie Taggart, Jerry and Jeanne Taggart, Joyce and John Kuehner, Julie Taggart, John Kortland, April and Paul Czarniecki, Michelle and David Czarniecki, Alicia and John Dunn, Michael and Marita Len, Karen and Terry Otto, Gregory Len and his fiancee Gwendolyn Tawresey. Bill cherished many great and great great nieces and nephews. He loved and mentored them.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11:00 AM at St. Martha's Church of Holy Spirit Parish, Route 1, Kennebunk. Burial will be in the spring.Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale. Condolences can be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.