James Wolfred Taylor

Taylor, James Wolfred, age 94 died on March 31, 2014. He was born in Sayre, Pennsylvania. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri at Columbia, graduating in 1942. In June of 1942 he was drafted and served in the United States Army in World War II, 9th field artillery of the 3rd division. He achieved the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He fought in Africa, France, Germany, Austria and Italy, including the Battle of Anzio. After returning from the war in 1946, Jim worked in newspaper and radio. He was employed by WIBA in Madison and at The Wisconsin State Journal where he penned a column highlighting outdoor recreation called Woods, Fields, Waters. In 1957 he married Anne (nee Sisulak). She preceded him in death in 1985. They had three children Anne, Julie (Kenneth France) and Sarah (Timothy Thompson). Jim was grandfather to HannahSofia, Antonia, Elijah, Ezra and Anne Marie. He is further survived by his cousin, Betty, of New York. Jim was employed by the Wisconsin Conservation Department later the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for many years. He became the editor of Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine in 1977. He retired from the DNR in 1987. In 1992 he married Mary Jane (nee Bish). They enjoyed retirement in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. She preceded him in death in 2006.Jim was a lover of words and literature. He chronicled many events from his life in journals and short stories. He was also an avid bicyclist, riding his bicycle to and from work every day. At age 67 he took a solo bicycle trip from Wisconsin to Virginia. He continued riding his bicycle 10 miles per day into his early 90s. He loved the outdoors and was a strong advocate for the preservation of wetlands and woods. The family requests memorials to Wisconsin Endangered Resources Fund, The Nature Conservancy, or Clean Wisconsin. "He lived the Taylor way"