ALLEN, Ky. — Willard Kinzer, an industrial titan, World War II veteran, prominent philanthropist and avid race car driver well into his 90s, died on Thursday.

Kinzer was a young teen when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, but his youth didn’t deter him from enlisting in the fight. After doctoring his birth certificate some time later, he joined the Navy at just 16 years old to help his country during World War II.

After the war, he grew his family’s business into an industrial giant blanketing Eastern Kentucky and West Virginia — Kinzer Drilling. His success in business allowed him to share his wealth through generosity, becoming a driving force behind Wesley Christian School, the Mountain Arts Center and a veterans cemetery in Allen that is named in his honor, among other endeavors.

Known to have a sign in his home reading, “Life begins at 200 mph,” he followed a love for racing throughout his life, even winning a drag race championship in Bristol, Tenn., on his 90th birthday.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Willard Kinzer was 97 years old.