Gene Truman Taylor, 81, of Gatesville, formerly of Proctor, passed away Tuesday July 17, 2018, in Temple, Texas, after a lengthy illness.

Gene was born on December 4, 1936 in Santa Anna, TX, to Joseph and Willie Taylor. He married Karen Ann Schlueter July 4, 1978, in Granbury, TX. Gene worked on ranches and drilling rigs in west Texas for many years and drove a truck. His love of race cars was passed on to his sons and he enjoyed helping them with their dirt track cars and giving advice to them on how set them up and drive them. He enjoyed both competing and watching rodeos, like to fish, watch old westerns on TV and of course watching NASCAR racing. He liked to spend time with his friends and family and always had stories of his “younger days” to share.

He will be greatly missed by all.

Gene is survived by his wife, Karen; children, Danny and wife Nancy, Willie and wife Kim, Billy and wife Donna, Jason, Tammy Johnson and husband Doug, Jenniffer Hudspeth and husband Matt, and Sally Borslien and husband Jack; brother, Mickie and sister, Wilma Luethje; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by parents Joseph and Willie Taylor; brothers, J E “Son” Taylor and Ike “Bill” Taylor; sister, Alma Baker.

Pallbearers will be Zakary Hudspeth, Zane Hudspeth, Chris Sommerfeld, Paul Cuellar, Justin Taylor, Stephen Taylor.