Phurman O Taylor, 85, of Cahokia, Ill. passed away on Tues., Feb. 5, 2008 at the Lincoln Home in Belleville, Ill.

Taylor was born on May 10, 1922 in Union, Miss. He was retired from the A.O. Smith Co., in Granite City, Ill. He was a member of the Christy Park Baptist Church in St. Louis, Mo. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma "Polly" Ham Taylor; his parents, Owen and Dorothy Taylor and a brother, Denzel Taylor.

He was survived by his niece, Judy Ryan and nephews, Barry Taylor and Randall Taylor all of Tennessee; a sister-in-law, Marge Taylor of Tennessee and dear friends, Marvin and Barbara Leudeman, Dorris and Pauline Nixon of Cahokia, Ill.

Funeral services were Friday, Feb. 8 at Braun Colonial Funeral Home, Cahokia, Ill. with Rev. Barry Kolp officiating. Interment was in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery; St. Louis, Mo.

Memorial may be made to Christy Park Baptist Church 6220 Gravois Ave. St. Louis, Mo. 63116-2204.