William (Bill) Taylor Lovern

William (Bill) Taylor Lovern passed away peacefully on May 12, 2024, in Lynchburg, Virginia, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Bill had turned 79 at the end of March.
 
Born and raised in Lynchburg, Bill was the youngest of three children by Eileen (Shea) and Edward. He graduated from E.C. Glass High School in 1963 before matriculating to his beloved University of Virginia, from which he graduated in 1968. Bill was a proud Eagle Scout, returning to Camp Monocan as a camp counselor during college summers. He went on to serve in the United States Navy before moving to New York City. There, he launched a career on Wall Street in fixed income sales and trading that took him to several venerable institutions between Philadelphia and New York. Upon retirement, Bill returned to his hometown of Lynchburg, where he quickly enmeshed himself in the community. He joined the Lynchburg Economic Development Authority, where he brought a thoughtful approach to maintaining the vibrancy of a city that was important to him and his family, volunteered to administer local elections, and refereed youth and high school soccer games.
 
Bill prioritized his family above all else, dutifully raising his three children in Rose Valley, PA, and New York City. His children's passions became his passions, whether it was (among countless others) listening to new music with his eldest daughter, Stephanie; developing a deep love of lacrosse with his son, Ross; or coaching and refereeing soccer games with his youngest daughter, Bess. Bill loved the outdoors and ensured his children developed the same appreciation, taking them on many hikes and camping excursions along the East Coast, teaching them all that he learned as an Eagle Scout. He also imparted to his children a love of Philadelphia and New York professional sports, bringing them to countless Phillies and Rangers games.
 
Bill is remembered by his many friends and extended family for his love of engaging with people, limitless positive energy, and diverse interests. Bill had a kind, warm, and welcoming soul, with an unwavering dedication to leaving every person he interacted with feeling better than before. He was able to build a true connection and find common ground with anyone from any background, religion, or political persuasion, and took great joy from those connections, no matter how small. But most of all, with his quick wit, thoughtful curiosity, and deep understanding, he loved to make people smile -- and was quite successful in doing so.
 
Bill was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2021, to which, after a valiant fight, he eventually succumbed.
 
He is survived by his former spouses, Jeanne Lovern and Wendy Sachs; older brother, Edward Lovern (Patricia); older sister, Sue Franks; children, Stephanie Lovern (Gary Phillips), Ross Lovern (Jessica Langman), and Bess Lovern (Jared Leidner); and granddaughters, Ellie and Cici Phillips.
 
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Lynchburg Grows, a local organization that Bill supported.