WILMINGTON — Henry “Ray” Taylor Sr., 79, passed away at Lower Cape Fear Hospice in Wilmington, N.C., on the Nov. 19, 2016. Ray Sr. was born Sept. 12, 1937, in Sumter, S.C., to the late Ernest Ray and Marie Wilkins Taylor.
He is survived by his two sons, Ray Taylor Jr. and Cameron Taylor.
Ray served in the National Guard and worked for Phillip Morris as a salesman for 30 years. Family and friends knew him as either the “Marlboro Man” or “Ray Ray.”
He was a loving and devoted father and never faltered with his sense of humor. No matter what kind of day he was having or how he felt, when asked how he was doing, he would always respond with “Mostly perfect.” It was this uplifting and humorous approach to life that made Ray Sr. such a special man to those around him.
Ray Sr. was a man of many achievements. In the late 1970’s he obtained his pilot’s license and became a captain of a marlin chartering boat. Along with his accomplishments, Ray was an avid Harley Davidson rider and enthusiast. He was a dedicated member of both the Rolling Thunder and the Harley Owners Group. Ray Sr. also gave back to the community of Wilmington that he called home. He volunteered and served with the Azalea Festival Committee for over 40 years.
Ray Taylor Sr. touched the lives of many people and will always be loved and greatly missed, because of this, he will always be “mostly perfect.”
The family will receive friends from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Andrews Market Street Chapel.