Billie Ray Taggart

Billie Ray, son of Giles B. and Laura Katherine "Katie" (Hartman) Taggart, was born April 9, 1923 on the farm near Audubon, Iowa. He attended rural schools near Audubon, Redfield and Panora. On August 5, 1944, Billie was united in marriage with Norma Crees in Guthrie Center. Two children were born to this union, David (1950) and Marilyn (1955). Billie and Norma farmed near Redfield and Guthrie Center and also milked cows. Then they moved to Des Moines where Billie helped lay sewer lines for the growing city. Again they went back to farming in the areas of Elk Horn, Jacksonville and Exira before finally ending in the Manning area in 1960. They farmed on three different farms and finally settled north of Botna. In the late 1960s while Billie continued farming Norma earned both her GED and nursing degree and worked at the Manning Hospital for many years. Billie retired from farming in 1988 and they moved into Manning. During his retirement he sold seed corn for Fontanelle and enjoyed woodworking, gardening and making cookies, peanut clusters and turtles for many people. After Norma died he ate lunch and volunteered at the Manning Senior Center and received the Presidential Volunteer Award for this service. Billie and Norma had been members of the United Methodist Church in Manning. They enjoyed traveling and spending time with their grandchildren. Norma's health started to fail due to Parkinson's disease in 1993 and she died August 22, 1999 at their home. Billie continued to live in their home until November 18, 2007 when he entered the Manning Plaza Nursing Home. He died there on Sunday, December 16, 2012 at the age of 89 years, 8 months and 7 days. Preceding him in death are this parents; wife Norma; son in law Gene Reisz; grandson Robert Taggart; siblings Wanda (Harold) Hart, Lillis (Luke) Francis, Wilma (Albert) Meggison, Edna (Harold) Hague, Kenneth (Ruth) Taggart, Bernice (Howard) Tuel, Darrel (Pauline) Taggart and companion Helen Meyers. Billie is survived by his son David Taggart (Judy) of York, NE; daughter Marilyn (Phil) Schwery of Panama; grandchildren and great grandchildren: Scott Taggart and his sons Christian and Zachary of Bradshaw, NE; Robert's son Kaydn Taggart of Lincoln, NE; Mandi (Rafe) MacDonald and their children Rafe IV, Jeremiah, Caleb, and Lillian of New Milford, CT and Shayla (Darrel) Leinen and their children Stephen and Benjamin of Harlan, IA; brother Ted (Barbara) Taggart of Mesa, AZ; other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Officiating PASTOR ANGIE LOOMIS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, MANNING, IOWA Music "HERE I AM, LORD" "THE OLD RUGGED CROSS" "GRANDPA'S HANDS" BOB MAGES, VOCALS AND GUITAR Casket Bearers PHIL SCHWERY DARREL LEINEN SCOTT TAGGART WENDELL TAGGART WES THYGENSEN KEITH KERKHOFF Interment ARLINGTON HEIGHTS CEMETERY, AUDUBON, IOWA