ance G. Taylor, 74, of Iron Ridge passed away on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at Clearview Nursing Home in Juneau.

On December 11, 1943 he was born the son of William and Elaine (Gereaux) Taylor. He was a graduate of Chippewa Falls High School and went on to receive his Bachelors from UW Eau Claire and Masters from UW Whitewater in Education. Lance was united in marriage with Bonnie Schriner on December 23, 1995 in Chippewa Falls.

Lance was passionate about education, especially for children and families with special needs. He started his career as a special education teacher in Delavan and then in Oshkosh. From there he served several administrative roles including director of special education, pupil services director, and vice principal. His colleagues will tell you that there has never been a stronger advocate for students and that although he was an incredibly gentle soul, he was a fierce adversary when it came to advocacy for his students and their families. It was not uncommon for Lance to bring one of his students home for Christmas that otherwise would have no Holiday. The presents for the children from Santa had their names put on them and these children were treated like part of the family.

An avid hunter and fisherman, Lance hunted and fished as a youngster with his father and family in and around Hallie, the Holcombe Flowage, and the Chippewa Flowage. As an adult he and Joel hunted with family and friends in the Iola area and he asked to have his cremains spread at a favorite hunting spot there. He found great pride in his son Joel's archery career and spent countless days travelling with him to archery tournaments throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest. Anyone involved in archery in WI during the 80's and 90's is sure to remember Lance rooting Joel on at tournaments virtually every weekend. Driving through snowstorms, fighting off squadrons of mosquitoes and deer flies, and slogging through the mud in downpours were among the minor inconveniences he gladly endured to watch Joel shoot. Lance always went out of his way to help others and always put helping others in front of himself, many young archers got their start with equipment given to them by Lance.

Lance played several sports in school and enjoyed playing pickup games and in men's leagues as an adult. He often told stories of being picked up to play on men's teams for tournaments when he was in high school and the wild adventures that he got into along the way. As an adult he was crazy about watching sports. If there was a Packer, Badger, Bucks, or Brewers game on, Lance was likely watching or listening to it-even if it meant using earphones in a deer stand.

Lance will be deeply missed by his wife Bonnie, son; Joel Taylor of Ladysmith, stepson; Zachary (Jodi) Talarek of McFarland, two step grandchildren; Payton and Adeline, brothers and sisters; Shelli (Tom) Carlson of Chippewa Falls, Randi Sue Maline of Chippewa Falls, Todd Taylor of Lodi, and Scott (Arlene) Taylor of River Falls. He is further survived by other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a foster child Laurie Oettinger.

A memorial gathering for Lance will be held on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Mayville Gun Club in Farmersville, WI.