James. E. Taylor, 86, 5625 Sandpiper Drive, Stevens Point, the founder of Stevens Point Auto Supply, died Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at his home.
Private funeral services will be held, with burial in Restlawn Cemetery in Wisconsin Rapids.
Memorials in his name can be made directly to the American Red Cross-Haitian Relief.
Shuda Funeral Services & Crematory Plover and Stevens Point assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be offered online at ploverfuneralhome.com.
Mr. Taylor was born April 1, 1923, in Christopher, Ky., a son of the late William and Mildred (Thomas) Taylor.
After schooling, he entered the United States Army on Jan. 20, 1943, in Louisville, Ky. While serving his country as a Tech 4, he earned the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged July 12, 1945, in Louisville, Ky.
He was married to Kathryn Babcock on Feb. 2, 1945, in Denver, Colo. She died in 1979.
The couple settled in Beaver Dam until moving to Stevens Point in 1971. They founded Stevens Point Auto Supply in 1971 and operated it until he retired in 1979.
Survivors include two sons, Kenneth (Nancy) and Patrick, both of Stevens Point; two brothers, Ray, Camden, Ohio, and Gene, Middletown, Ohio; one sister, Allene Thomas, Dearborn Heights, Mich.; three grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Kenneth; and four sisters, Dorothy, Rita, Vera and Thelma.