Mourners Gather at Funeral for Lance Cpl. Taylor Wild

A funeral service for fallen Marine Lance Cpl. William Taylor Wild IV was held in Annapolis Friday afternoon as family and friends paid tribute to the 21-year old who was killed in a training accident in Nevada on March 18.

A large group of mourners gathered at Unitarian Universalist Church to remember the Severna Park High graduate who was among seven people killed when a mortar shell exploded during a training exercise.

The Patriot Guard Riders stood respectfully in a flag line and young girls handed out yellow ribbons to mourners. Wild's family and friends embraced each other with teary eyes and heavy hearts.

Wild grew up in the Whitehurst community and graduated from Severna Park High in 2010. He enlisted after graduation and served in Afghanistan in 2011. Last fall, he volunteered for a tour of duty in Kuwait.

Since Wild’s death, the Severna Park community has shown support and patriotism for not only the local hero but for his family as well. Flags and signs line Arundel Beach road for miles, something Wild's mother Betz called a true act of patriotism.

Friends and community members gathered in the Whitehurst community on Saturday night to share memories of Wild. Many spoke of his smile, his love for his family and his decision to serve his country—something everyone said they were grateful for.

Interment for Wild will be held on Tuesday at Arlington National Cemetery with the procession meeting at 10:30 a.m. at the Memorial Gate.

See Also:

• Candlelight Vigil Honors Fallen Marine
• Whitehurst Community Rallies Around Fallen Marine
• Grateful Community Honors Lance Cpl. Taylor Wild
• Local Family Copes with Deployment During the Holidays

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