Liam Wallace Taylor, 16, passed away July 23, 2024, at University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) after succumbing to injuries from a motor vehicle crash. Liam was born in Santa Fe on Aug. 13, 2007, and he lived in Hobbs, N.M., and Albuquerque each eight years.

Liam is survived by his parents Grant Taylor and Megan Cox Taylor; sister Mabel; paternal grandparents Mary Kay and Randy McCollum; maternal grandparents Sandy and Wallace Cox; aunts Janell Taylor and Lena Vahle; first cousins Miranda Chavez, Katie Chavez, Kennedy Knowlton, Presley Knowlton and Brendan Vahle; a large extended family of great-uncles, great-aunts and cousins; and friends who were “chosen family.” He is preceded in death by his paternal granddad Frank Taylor.

Liam attended Cibola High School in Albuquerque, where he treasured and made contributions to the marching band, jazz band, concert band, pep band, S-Troupe comedy club and the boys volleyball club. Liam was set to begin his senior year and would have graduated in 2025. He also attended Taylor Middle School, Los Ranchos Elementary School and Stone Elementary School (Hobbs). At different points, Liam participated in activities of the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program, Stone Age Climbing Gym, National Dance Institute New Mexico, the Community Players of Hobbs, Hobbs youth sports and the gifted programs of the Hobbs and Albuquerque schools.

Liam was an extraordinary performer and skilled musician, playing the guitar, drum kit, bass, French horn and mellophone. He performed with the All-State Symphonic Band and played in the Southwest Honor Band festival in the concert and jazz disciplines. Liam’s music teachers described him as stellar, amazing, approachable and kind. In addition to teachers and instructors, benevolent adults took an interest in Liam and invested in developing his talents. Thank you for seeing and nurturing Liam’s potential. Aside from his own music performance, his enjoyment and knowledge of music artists spanned the spectrum of genres, from Chet Baker to Merle Haggard to MF Doom, and he cherished sharing his passion for music with others.

Liam enjoyed playing video games, making music and spending time with close friends. His outgoing personality, humor and knowledge of current affairs made for lively and enriching conversations. Friends of Liam described him as loving, caring, genuine, supportive, inclusive and funny. “He was a kind kid who touched so many people in his life,” one said. “He was always a fun person to talk to to cheer you up,” said another. That Liam was such a good friend to so many is a tremendous source of joy. Families of Liam’s friends welcomed him into their homes and cared for him deeply. Thank you, families.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Cibola High School band boosters: https://secure.affinipay.com/pages/ chsbb/payments National Dance Institute New Mexico: https://ndi-nm.org/donate-tondi- new-mexico/ (Click “Yes” and complete the form to dedicate your donation in memory of Liam Taylor) Liam’s family is grateful to the many healthcare workers at UNMH, particularly the Trauma/Surgical Intensive Care Unit, who provided Liam with compassion and dignity from beginning to end, in addition to treatment that was second-to-none.

For Liam’s final act, he bestowed precious parts of himself through organ and tissue donation, benefiting potentially dozens of recipients across the United States. Thanks to the hundreds of friends and family members who said goodbye to Liam during his organ-donation “honor walk” from the ICU to surgery. Your being there was a testament to the impact he made in his life and celebrated his legacy that will live on.

Arrangements for a memorial service are pending and will be announced at a later date.