Walter "Walt" I. Taylor Jr.

Walter “Walt” I. Taylor, Jr., 83, long-time Evansville business owner and furniture designer, passed away on September 7, 2010, peacefully at his home. Walt was born on March 22, 1927, in Fairfield, Illinois and was the oldest of five children.

He graduated from Anderson High School, prior to entering the Army during World War II, where he later served in the Signal Corps at Eisenhower Headquarters in Frankfort, Germany. After he returned from overseas, he married the love of his life, his wife of almost 62 years, Veda (Kieser) Taylor. They moved to Evansville, Indiana; had two daughters and Walt devoted much of his life to loving and supporting his family.

Walt attended the University of Evansville in Business Administration, studied in Frankfort, Germany and at the New York School of Interior Design. He was the founder and owner of Taylor’s Custom Furniture and Interiors for 60 years, where he served his clients with excellence and creativity.

His life was defined by his love for and service of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He exemplified the words “humility” and “grace” in life and in death. Walt was a founding member of Christian Fellowship Church; he served the Gideons and was a Deacon and Trustee of Calvary Baptist Church.

Walt was an avid UE Aces basketball fan, rarely missing a game. Walt and Veda operated the Starkey Inn Bed & Breakfast for nine years, where they served many wonderful guests.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter I. Taylor, Sr. and Maude (Bradford) Taylor; brother, Norman Taylor; and sister, Diane Pickle.

Walt is survived by his loving family: his wife, Veda (Kieser) Taylor; daughters, Debra Taylor Hahn and Marti Starkey (Ron Schwier); grandchildren, Trenton Hahn (Anna), Troy Hahn and Paige Starkey; step-grandchildren, Ryan Schwier (Sandra), Erin Schwier and Bill Johnson (Sandi); great-grandchildren, Jacob and Julia Hahn; step-great-grandchildren, Emilio “Sammy” Schwier and Macie, Lea and Collin Johnson; brothers, James Taylor (Linda) and Max Taylor (Ruth); sister-in-law, Fairy Taylor; and brother-in-law, Jake Pickle.

A celebration of Walt’s life will be 10:00 AM Saturday, September 11, 2010, at University of Evansville, Neu Chapel, 1800 Lincoln Avenue, officiated by Rev. Daniel Sigler, with burial in Burnt Prairie Cemetery, Burnt Prairie, IL. Friends may visit Friday from 2:00 to 8:00 PM at Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Starkey Entrepreneurial Woman Award Scholarship at the University of Evansville established in honor of Walt and Veda Taylor, The Gideons International, or to the UE basketball program.