Wayne was a man of many talents – a well-known artist, architect, craftsman, and teacher of basic design. He was influenced from an early age by the woods, the farms, and the waters of Coinjock Bay in Currituck County where he played as a boy. This instilled a strong spirit of independence that has marked his life. His record of accomplishments is distinctive.
Wayne was born Earl Wayne Taylor on August 30th, 1931, in Maple, North Carolina to parents Emest Wheatley and Katherine Forbes Taylor. Some of his earliest and fondest memories were cutting paths through the woods and swamp or building boats, trains and big equipment with his brother Ben. His parents encouraged him to create and to work, either on the farm or in his father’s general store. He preferred building to either and began his work in carpentry with Will Snowden at the age of 15. He won state and regional awards in automotive design in 1947 from the Fisher Body Craftsmen’s Guild. Additionally, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1948. He graduated from Moyock High School and began his university career at NCSU in mechanical engineering in 1949, changing to design after his first semester, his freshman year.
During his military service in the Coast Guard from 1951 - 1952, Wayne was stationed at Cape Hatteras where he participated and trained in the Loran (radio) Communication systems and operations, which he talked about often. Upon completion of his service, he returned to the School of Design and earned his Batchelor of Architecture in 1958 with Book Awards for excellence in design from the NC Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He then taught drawing as an instructor at the School of Design while conducting research with Horacio Caminos on membranous structures – shell like structures of very thin reinforced concrete. This research is what earned him the 1960 Prix de Rome in Architecture, allowing him to continue study for two years at the American Academy.
Wayne met and married his wife, Mary Hawkins in Rome and they honeymooned in London before returning to the United States to start their life together, raise their family and begin his teaching career as Assistant Professor of Architecture at the School of Design. He taught for two years before accepting a position teaching in a new School of Architecture at the University of Puerto Rico. He returned to the School of Design at NCSU in 1968 where he went on to finish his career.
Teaching was not just Wayne’s career but became one of his true passions – another act of creativity. His “students” were a huge part of his life, and in return, he became a part of theirs. He particularly enjoyed building relationships, trust and encouragement with his students while motivating them and fostering the art of communicating with their minds and hands. His belief, lived and led by example, was individual creativity and experimentation, problem solving, the art and craft of making and the process of design, which is evidenced by the many paintings, drawings and built work he leaves behind.
Home and family, learning and teaching, drawing and painting, architectural and graphic design, and building and crafting of projects made for a very full life – and that’s the way Wayne liked it.
Wayne died surrounded by his loving children who will miss him immensely.
He is predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Mary Hawkins Taylor.
He is survived by daughters Anna Maria “Snicks” Taylor and husband John Abplanalp; Lilla Maria Taylor; sons, E. Wayne Taylor, Jr., and wife Christie; Walter Hawkins Taylor and wife Allison as well as his four grandchildren, Evan Taylor Dean; Avery Alexandra Dean; John Walter “Jack” Abplanalp and William Henry Taylor. He is also survived by his brother, Benjamin Boswood Taylor, and wife Lianda. Additionally, he is survived by many relatives, nieces and nephews and their families, and countless friends, colleagues and students who loved him dearly and cherish his memory.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 29th, 2024, at 2:00 PM at The University Club, 4200 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC. A private family inurnment ceremony will take place later in the year.
Memorial contributions may be made in Wayne’s honor to The College of Design at NCSU, Second Chance Pet Adoptions, or the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.
Service arrangements are provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.
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