Sharon Elizabeth (Willis) Taylor

Sharon Elizabeth Willis Taylor passed away peacefully at her home in Springville, UT on February 23, 2022 surrounded by her loved ones, after a valiant battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.  She and her twin sister, Shirley Catherine, were born to Melbourne Hugh Willis and Merle Elizabeth Baker, in McNary, AZ on November 23, 1942.  Her mother passed away when the twins were 2 years old, so they lived with their Aunt Madge and Uncle Bob DeRosier and cousins, JoAnne and Bob in Pinetop, AZ.  They lived near many family members who loved them dearly and cared for them, giving them an ideal childhood.

When Sharon was 10 years old her father married Jean Kelly and the twins moved to El Paso, Texas with their father and stepmother.  Three younger sisters, Peggy, Kelly and Jamie, joined their family.  Sharon graduated from Ysleta High School in El Paso, Texas in 1960. She later attended Texas Western College (UTEP) for two years and worked at State National Bank.

In 1962 Sharon attended Brigham Young University where she met her eternal companion, Jerald Lynn Taylor.  They were married for time and all eternity in 1963 in the Manti, Utah Temple. Shortly after, her twin, Shirley married Jerald’s good friend, Larry Memmott.  Sharon and Jerald moved to Colonia Dublan, Chihuahua, Mexico where they lived for almost 50 years, raising their 6 children:  Sharolyn (Tom Jones), Jerald Lynn Jr. (Tami), Becca (Rich Salois), Loren (deceased), Justin (Janae) and Kevin (Grisel).  Sharon and Shirley lived in the same small town in Mexico and raised their families together, so each sister felt like she had 13 children all together.  All would agree that Larry, Hugh, Laura, Robert, Meb, Grant and Buffy Memmott are her, children, too!

Sharon had a great love for music.  Her grandmother taught her and Shirley to sing together from the time they were small girls.  Shirley sang the melody and Sharon the harmony.  Together, Sharon and Shirley sang at hundreds of weddings, funerals and church programs.  Sharon never spoke an unkind word about anyone.  She loved everyone she met and welcomed them into her home with a delicious home-made meal and a comfortable place to stay. Sharon loved being a mother, and taught her children to serve, pray, love and do what is right. Her greatest desire was that her family would “Return with Honor.”

Sharon learned Spanish fluently while living in Mexico and used this skill to serve, teach and help others. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served many, through her church callings and assignments.  She supported her husband in his many church assignments in Mexico, Chile, Guatemala and Salt Lake City, UT.  After their many years of church service, Sharon and Jerald retired to Springville, UT to be near many of their children and grandchildren.

Sharon is survived by her husband, 5 children, 23 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, her twin sister Shirley Memmott (Larry) and her 7 children and their families, her sisters Peggy, Kelly and Jamie, and cousins JoAnne and Bob.  She is proceeded in death by her son, Loren, her mother, father, stepmother, grandparents, Madgie and Bob.

The family would like to thank Wheeler Mortuary in Springville and all the wonderful angels at Bristol Hospice for their gentle, loving and kind help over the past 4 weeks.

In lieu of flowers spend time with your family doing something you love.

Family and friends will be received from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at Wheeler Mortuary 211 E 200 S Springville, UT.  A viewing will also be held Friday, March 4, 2022 from 9:30-10:30 at the chapel located at 760 N. 400 E. Springville, UT.  Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. and will be live streamed using the following links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxgjfXOxDBY

taylor.13thwardelders.org

Interment to follow at Springville City Cemetery 400 S. 200 W.