Philip Taylor

Philip Alvin Taylor, 88, surrounded by his family returned to his heavenly father on Saturday August 30, 2025 at his home in Bicknell. Philip was born on May 27, 1937, in Torrey Utah to Alvin G. and Pearl Behunin Taylor. He was the oldest of four children. Philip attended Wayne High School where he graduated in 1956. He then moved to St. George to attend Dixie State College where he received his associate degree along with the golden glove champion in boxing at 126 pounds for two years. 

After college he moved to Evanston Wyoming where he worked construction. On the weekends he would travel to Salt Lake City to the dance halls, and this is where he met his first wife of 36 years, Audrey Dehon Fenstermaker. They were married on October 8, 1959. Later solemnized in the Manti LDS temple December 19, 1969. Together they raised five children in Fremont, Utah.

In 1961 he was hired temporarily for 6 months as an Animal damage control hunter. After the 6-month period was up the Utah state department of agriculture hired him full time. His district covered all the mountains of the Fish Lake and Dixie National Forest. His duty’s included trapping coyotes and using hounds to catch lions and bears that had killed livestock on different ranges of the mountains. As time went on, he found that the Redbone hound was one of the best dogs. He bought several redbone dogs and began a breeding program that what most hounds Mans say was the greatest bloodline of dogs that became famous nationwide. After a few years he was promoted as the Utah bear and lion specialist and traveled statewide to help other trappers kill the lion or bear that had killed livestock in their districts. He received the Utah wool grower’s hall of fame award in 1999 and was inducted into Utah state trappers’ association hall of fame in 2010.

After 44 years as a government trapper, he retired but continued trapping coyotes and bobcats for many years. Philip was also a farmer in Fremont and had at one time 300 head of sheep which helped support his family.

Philip was an active member of the church and served as second counselor and ward clerk in the Fremont ward.

After the passing of his first wife, Philip met Diane Burt Baldwin and was married on October 7, 1995, in West Valley City, Utah. Diane and Philip lived in Fremont for a few short years before buying a home and moving to Bicknell. Philip and Diane were married for 30 years, and we believe that Diane is the reason he lived as long as he did. She welcomed Philip’s children as her own family. They enjoyed going to lunch in Torrey after church. Philp was a great neighbor and friend to everyone he met and very honest in his dealings the shake of his hand was as good as his word, and he will truly be missed.

Philip will be missed by his wife Diane, his children Nancy (Correy) Brinkerhoff,  Las Vegas; Gena (Chris)Tisdal, Gold canyon Arizona; Earl (Mindy) Taylor, Salina; Tom (Barbara) Taylor, Glenwood. Stepsons: Raymond Mark (Michelle) Torres Heriman, Randal V Torres Ogden; 13 Grandchildren; 4 step Grandchildren; 28 Great-Grandchildren; 2 Great-Great Grandchildren; siblings: Steve (Joyce) Taylor, Fremont; Anna Lara (Jerry) Moosman, Woods Cross; and Marcus (Mary Ann) Taylor, Central Valley.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Audrey Fenstermaker Taylor Daughter Caroline Taylor, Grandson Logan Curtis.

The family would like to thank all the nurses of hospice and the compassionate care they provided.

Funeral services will be held Saturday September 13, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the Fremont Ward LDS Chapel. 

Friends may call for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral Home in Richfield, Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. or at the ward chapel in Fremont Saturday morning from 10:00 to 12:30 prior to the services. 

Live streaming of the services can be found at: www.springerturner.com under Philip's obituary about 15 minutes prior to starting time. 

Burial will be in the Fremont Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.