Fallen Marine Remembered At Funeral Services
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Family and friends of a Severna Park Marine remember the life of their fallen loved one. Lance Corporal William Taylor Wild IV was killed last week in a training accident in Nevada.
Christie Ileto was there as family said goodbye.
It was an emotional day for the Wild family as they grieved the loss of their young Marine son, who was affectionately known as Taylor. He was a brother and a friend to many who knew him.
A Patriot Guard stands at attention, as Anne Arundel County Police escort the casket of Lance Corporal William Taylor Wild IV on Good Friday, a fallen Marine and son of one of their own officers.
"Awesome son, awesome brother, awesome friend, awesome Marine," said William Wild III.
That's how Anne Arundel County Officer William Wild III plans to remember his son Taylor. Wearing a yellow ribbon pinned to his police uniform, Wild and his family are saying their final goodbye to their fallen hero.
"I'm still just trying to process everything. I really don't know how to describe it," said Adam Zinsmeister.
"It's just so surreal. You never think anything like this would happen to you until it does," a friend said.
Taylor was among seven killed last week in a training accident in Nevada. The Department of Defense says while launching mortar rounds, one of them exploded inside a tube, scattering deadly shrapnel.
"Terrible that we lost a guy like him. Especially since it was inside the U.S. and it was during training," a Marine said.
But it was a job that family and friends say Taylor was proud of, and his friends looked up to him for it.
"I'm going to do whatever I can to make him proud, 'cause he's a role model to me," said Jae Kim.
And if loved ones take any comfort, it's in knowing Taylor died pursuing his dream. And on this Good Friday, he's looking down on them.
Taylor joined the Marines when he graduated from Severna Park High School in 2010. He is survived by both his parents, a sister and a brother.
Wild will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday.
