Bobby J. TAYLOR

Bobby J. Taylor

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Bobbie "Mr. Rhythm and Blues" Joe Taylor, aka Bobby Taylor, departed this life on March 16, 2015, at Memorial Medical Center.

He was born March 18, 1955, in Ripley, Tenn., the son of J.B. and Susie Taylor.

Bobby married Donna Ross in 1979 with whom he shared more than 40 years of life with.

Bobby attended Springfield Southeast High School, graduating with the Class of 1973. He also attended Lincoln Land Community College and Bryant-Stratton College in Buffalo, N.Y., where he was a dean's list regular.

Mr. Taylor was a member of the U.S. Navy from 1978-1980 serving as a radioman on the USS Josephus Daniels in Norfolk, Va. Mr. Taylor also worked for Horace Mann Corporation and J.B. Hunt Trucking Company. In his spare time you could also find him fixing cars as an auto mechanic.

Bobby's passion in life was music. He played saxophone as a young man and transitioned to being the lead singer in various bands.

He was preceded in death by his father, J.B. Taylor, and brother, Kyle Taylor.

He leaves to cherish memories, sons: Harlan (Kameia) Ross of Jacksonville, Ill., Corey (April) Ross of Killeen, Texas, Albert Rice of Minneapolis, Minn., and Marcus (Chauntria) Taylor of Springfield, Ill.; mother, Susie Taylor of Springfield, Ill.; brothers: Percy (Verlene) Jones of Buffalo, N.Y., J.T. Taylor, Jerome (Margaret) Taylor, Mark (Lue) Taylor, Gary (Laurie) Taylor and Artie Taylor, all of Springfield, Ill.; sisters: Katherine (Perry) Jones of Indianapolis, Ind., Mattie Foster, Dorothy Taylor, Mary-Jo Taylor and Dianne Smith, all of Springfield, Ill.; a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, a great-grandchild; and companion, Joy Everhart.

Services will be 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2015, at Fresh Visions Community Church, 2400 N. Grand St., Springfield, with visitation one hour before service. Burial will be at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield.

Professional services are entrusted to Walker Funeral Service in Springfield.

www.walkerfs.com