In Memoriam: 1995–96 IIA Global Chairman Bill Taylor

William L. “Bill” Taylor, whose many contributions to the internal audit profession were widely recognized by his peers and The IIA, died Wednesday, Jan. 29, surrounded by family, including his wife of 63 years, Jane Lee.

Taylor, who was The IIA’s 1995-96 Chairman of the Global Board, was deeply dedicated to his family and helping others. That commitment extended to the career he loved, internal auditing. He is one of only seven recipients of The IIA’s William G. Bishop III CIA Lifetime Achievement Award, for his extraordinary leadership and involvement in the profession.

“Bill was a pillar of our profession and an amazing IIA leader whose legacy was larger than life,” said IIA President and CEO Richard F. Chambers. “His tremendous impact on internal auditing and, indeed, on our organization is monumental. Our hearts are broken over his passing and our thoughts and prayers are with Jane Lee and his entire family.”

Taylor, who retired from the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, D.C., in 2004, after a 41-year career in internal auditing, was a steadfast IIA volunteer who served in key leadership positions at both the local and international levels for three decades, including three terms as president of the IIA–District of Columbia Chapter. He also chaired several important initiatives, such as the Internal Audit Foundation’s Common Body of Knowledge (CBOK) study.

Taylor was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 for his service to the global profession. He was the fourth recipient of that prestigious award, which only three others since have received. Taylor also received the Bradford R. Cadmus Memorial Award, which recognizes those who make outstanding global contributions in the field of internal auditing.

In 2012, Taylor also was one of nine inaugural inductees into the American Hall of Distinguished Audit Practitioners, an honor specifically designed to recognize those who have contributed in extraordinary ways to the profession in the United States.

“William L. Taylor was particularly proud of helping The IIA surpass all expectations for unlocking ideas, extending The IIA’s reach, sharpening the image of the profession, and strengthening communication, ” according to “60 Years of Progress Through Sharing,” one in a series of IIA history books.

Taylor was “an organizer, a planner, and always a leader, lending his talents to organizations from international professional organizations and businesses to his children’s PTA and the youth fife and drum corps, The Patriots of Northern Virginia,” according to notice of his death. “He was a role model in his treatment of others,” and found great happiness in his family and his pugs.

“Even in his later years, his sense of joy and cheer were unmistakable in every interaction he had with others,” said longtime IIA volunteer Sridhar Ramamoorti. “Bill met my daughter, Sarita, when she was 2½ years old, and warned me that children grow up fast and that little girl would soon have her father wrapped around her little finger. Well, Sarita is about to be 14 years old and, as with many other things, Bill’s comments are proving prescient!”

Former IIA Global Chairman (2011-12) Denny Beran said he admired Taylor’s continued commitment to the profession long after his own term as chairman. “Working with Bill over the years was truly a joy and always a tremendous learning opportunity,” Beran said. “His wisdom, keen insights, his innate ability to focus on the critical issues and his experience as a professional internal auditor . . . helped me and so many other IIA volunteers formulate our thoughts and perspective on key issues facing our profession.

“I have lost a dear friend and our profession has lost a giant whose many contributions will be remembered for years to come,” Beran said.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 11 a.m. ET at National Funeral Home in Falls Church, VA, followed by a graveside service at National Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to two causes close to Taylor’s heart: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Shriners Hospitals for Children in his memory.

You also can share a memory or your condolences to the family at the National Funeral Home website.