William “Bill” Baylor, 90, of Rockford, passed away on August 22, 2026. He was born on January 5, 1936, in Rockford, the son of Irwin and Josephine (Woodrick) Baylor. Bill graduated from St. Thomas High School in 1953. He attended the University of Illinois and Rock Valley College.

He married the love of his life, Carlotta Johnson in 1956, and together they were blessed with four children, Edward, Thomas, Dawn, and Terese.

Bill’s career with the Rockford Fire Department began in 1957. He served in a variety of assignments both in the field and in administration. He became Fire Chief in 1981 and retired on April 1, 1991. As chief, Bill served on the Winnebago County 911 board. Chief Baylor was highly respected within the fire service community. He was an active member of the Winnebago Fire Chiefs, Illinois Fire Chiefs, and International Fire Chiefs Associations.

Always devoted to the city of Rockford, Chief Baylor held office and was a member of numerous organizations and causes, including the Red Cross, Rotary Club, LaVoz Latino, Boys and Girls Club, and the Doug Scott Project. Bill was involved with the remodel of the fire station museum at Midway Village. He was an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church. Even though he left the fire department in 1991, he never really “retired”. He continued being involved. In 1992, he became the Chief Administrative Officer of the Rockford Airport, where he served for five years.

He is survived by his children, Dawn (Michael) Oswald and Terese (Larry) Peterson; grandchildren, Krissa Whaples, Karl (Alyssa) Whaples, Andrew (Erin) Baylor, Nick (Jenny) Oswald, Nathan Peterson, Nolan (Erica) Peterson, and Lauren Peterson; great grandchildren, Malachi Whaples, Wally Oswald, Charlie Baylor, Lilly Whaples, Dean Peterson, and Tommy Baylor; sister, Elizabeth Atkins; brother-in-law, David (Sheri) Johnson; daughter-in-law, Maria Baylor and numerous nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by his wife, Carlotta, and children, Ed Baylor and Tom Baylor.

The family would like to give a special thank you to special friends, Bill Beaman, Ron Hill, Charlie Martini, Pat Keenan, and Cecil Cannon, and the staff at Highview in the Woodlands and Wesley Willows.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford, IL 61108, with a visitation prior to Mass from 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. A night before visitation will be on Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. with a firefighter honor guard walk at 6:30 p.m., at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61108. Private burial of cremated remains at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Firefighters Local 413 or Highview in the Woodlands.