Wesley G. "Wes" Taylor, age 82, of West Bend, passed away on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at St. Joseph's Hospital.
He was born on July 29, 1928 in West Bend to the late Glenway and Helen (nee Johnson) Taylor, Sr. Following his graduation from West Bend High School, Wes served his country honorably during the Korean War in the U.S. Air Force. Wes was united in marriage to Ann Guerndt on March 2, 1957 at Peace Lutheran Church in Hartford.
Wes and his brother Glen began selling Air-Way vacuum cleaners door-to-door in the late 1950's before opening the West Bend Vacuum Center. Over the years, the business grew to serve locations in Hartford and Mequon in addition to West Bend. Today the business is still owned and operated by his sons Lee and Jim Taylor.
Wes loved playing softball and enjoyed actively playing up until last year. He was an avid horseshoe player, winning various championships, including one last year. Wes enjoyed hunting deer and antelope, playing dart ball, bowling, golfing and dealing black jack for corporate events.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Taylor of West Bend; five children, Jan (Phil) Wagner of West Bend, Lee Taylor of Kewaskum, Karen (Dave) Sparks of West Bend, Jim (Ann) Taylor of Kewaskum, and Barbie (Dale) Fessenbecker of West Bend; five grandchildren, Jaime (Josh) Branham of Jackson, Kayli Wagner of West Bend, Jimmy and Hannah Taylor of Kewaskum, and Kaitlin Sparks of West Bend; three sisters-in-law, June Taylor, Myrtle Taylor, and Alice Taylor; and many other relatives and close friends.
Wes was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Gail Ann Taylor; grandson, Philip Wagner; daughter-in-law, Barb Traxel-Taylor; sister, Virginia (Wilbur) Englebert; four brothers, Clifford (Doris) Taylor, Everette Taylor, Allen Taylor, and Glenway Taylor, Jr.
Funeral services in remembrance of Wes will be held on Thursday, May 12th at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 140 N. 7th Avenue, West Bend. Rev. David Schoob will officiate. Visitation will be Thursday at the church from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be Friday at 10:00 am in Washington County Memorial Park.