Leslie A. "Sonny" Taylor Jr.

He was born in Peoria, IL on June 13, 1934 to Leslie and Josephine (Glatz) Taylor Sr. He married Audrey A. Arends in Peoria, IL on April 13, 1955. She survives.

Also surviving are 2 sons, Harold (Sherri), Stan (Jan); 6 grandchildren, Jenny (Dan) Borland, David (Christine) Taylor, Brandon (Jessica) Taylor, Matt Taylor, Jeff Taylor, William Taylor; 4 great-grandchildren, Jack Borland, Leah Borland, Lyle Taylor , Sidney Taylor; sister, Joanne (Neil) Stiver; and one of his best friends of 11 years, his yellow lab, “Rocky”. They were always together and in the evening each had their own recliner and watched television together.

He was an avid sportsman. Duck hunting was his passion, hunting Quiver Creek near Havana for 55 years. He loved taking his sons and grandchildren hunting and fishing, teaching and passing on his vast knowledge of conservation and always sharing his hunting and fishing skills with them. He enjoyed going to DU banquets swapping duck hunting stories with his family and friends. Les was a daily visitor at Presley’s Outdoors where he could greet his friends and swap stories with all the people he knew. He also enjoyed watching his grandchildren play football, basketball, baseball and cheerleading. He also was an avid St. Louis Cardinal and Dallas Cowboy fan. He made his own photo albums making over 100 albums, taking pictures of everything since the mid 1950’s.

Sonny worked in the Sporting Goods business all of his life, working at Schindler’s, Keenan’s and Venture before ending his career owning and operating Bob Hinman’s Outfitters. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, NRA, IL Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, and Friends of Rice Lake.

Sonny was a loving husband and father who was very family oriented and will be dearly missed.

Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 20, 2013 at Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel in Bartonville with Rev. Dr. Philip D. Lund officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Chapel with further visitation one hour before services on Saturday. Cremation will be accorded following the services.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Jude Midwest Affiliate or to Easter Seals for any care needed for Payton McSimov. Online condolences may be made at www.davison-fulton-bartonvillechapel.com.