Benjamin "Ben" D. Taylor

Ben was born in Creston, Iowa to Alice and Vernon Taylor. He moved to Ear Falls, Ontario after high school where he met his best friend and love of his life Willie. They were married on December 28, 1974. Together they had two daughters (Kathie and April) and continued to reside in Canada where he ran two fishing camps (Em Kay and Portage Bay) and 4 Season’s Sports Shop. Known for some of the best walleye fishing in North America, he loved to fish and hunt with his family and friends in the Great White North.

In 1990, he moved his family back to Iowa where he continued his love of fishing and hunting. In addition he enjoyed participating in the Izzak Walton League on Tuesday nights and playing pitch with the boys at Beech Lake Card Club on Thursday nights. An avid outdoorsman, he loved teaching his daughters and granddaughters about his love for nature. For 44 years, he never missed a trip to his cabin in Canada. He was a loving husband, father and papa.

Ben will be greatly missed by his wife of 38 years, Willie Taylor of Ankeny; his two daughters and their spouses, Kathie and Rob Andress of Salt Lake, and April and Ray Matthews of Windsor Heights; his two granddaughters, Georgia Kate and Sophia Matthews; his mother, Alice Taylor, formally of Creston; and his sister, sister-in-laws and many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his father, Vernon Taylor; his two brothers Jack and Terry Taylor; and his uncle, WP Taylor.

A celebration of life service will be held at Ankeny Funeral Home (1510 West 1st St. Ankeny, IA) on Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Izaak Walton League of Des Moines and John Stoddard Cancer Center in Des Moines Iowa.

.