

Born January 7, 1932 in Chicago to Robert W. and Ruth (Storms) Taylor, he married Mary Ann Witovec on July 21, 1956 in Houston. She died February 21, 2015 in Peoria. He also was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Drake Taylor; one sister, Jan Rettke and one brother, Donald Taylor.
Surviving are one daughter, Debra Ann Taylor of Valencia, CA; four sons, Robert James (Karen) Taylor of Germantown Hills, Randall Guy (Beverly) Taylor of Dunlap, Richard Scott (Lori) Taylor of Olathe, KS and Russell Eric Taylor of Libertyville; three grandsons, Chris Taylor, Joseph Robert Taylor and James Richard Taylor; two granddaughters, Kate Lambert and Jenn Lambert and two great-grandchildren, Landen and Madelyn.
A 1951 graduate of Pekin Community High School, Bob went on to Notre Dame University where he played football and graduated in 3 years in 1954. At Notre Dame he was part of the team that won the national football championship in 1953. During high school he was recognized as an All American in football and also earned 2nd place in the state wrestling competition.
He had served in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1957 and attained the rank of First Lieutenant.
He owned and operated Illini Brick & Supply in East Peoria for 42 years. His retirement job up until two years ago was operating Robert Taylor Brick Company selling used brick.
He enjoyed traveling, sailing and gardening, but his true hobby was working.
He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin. Bob was a member of Knights of Columbus Archbishop Schlarman Council #3507, where he also was a fourth degree member of Assembly 210.
A joint funeral Mass for Robert and his wife, Mary Ann, will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 2, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin. Father Michael Andrejek will officiate. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, with recitation of the Rosary at 1:30 p.m. A Chalice ceremony will be conducted by the Knights of Columbus at 1:15 p.m. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Pekin, with military rites accorded by United States Air Force and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Knights of Columbus Archbishop Schlarman Council #3507, 715 N. 11th St. Pekin, IL 61554.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
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