William Henry Phillips' Obituary
William Phillips Obituary
A memorial honoring the life of William W.H. “Bill” Phillips is pending at the Ft. Gibson National Cemetery. Bill passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at Saint’s Simeon’s Senior Community in Tulsa. He was 91 years old.
Born November 15, 1931 in Amity, Arkansas, Bill was the son of Elmer and Cora (Davidson) Phillips. For the most part, Bill was raised on a farm in east Texas where his family raised cattle, swine, and chickens. They drank their water from a well and canned most everything from their own garden. Bill graduated from DeKalb High School.
Always a tough guy and hard worker, Bill earned a Boxing scholarship to attend college. He studied Education, ultimately completing his doctoral degree, which led to a long and successful career in public school administration. Bill married Carol in 1982. The couple enjoyed many adventures together during their 38 years of marriage together.
Bill served as a teacher, principal, and ultimately, a school superintendent. He would become very marketable, accepting multiple positions leading school districts across the country. Bill loved his time in Alaska most of all. He served as Superintendent for Mountain Village Public Schools in the Alaska tundra. He would eventually complete his career in Angoon, earning his second retirement with the state of Alaska. Bill cared deeply about the quality of education received by his students everywhere he was employed.
An outdoorsman at heart, Bill loved hunting, fishing, and traveling in their RV. Bill’s time in Alaska was so very special to him, especially the fishing! He met new friends everywhere he traveled and always looked forward to visiting them. Bill and Carol enjoyed many retirement years together on Lake Havasu in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Once again, fishing from their pontoon vessel. He truly lived a fun-filled life and will be dearly missed by a host of family who loved him.
Surviving family include his children, Bud Phillips and his wife, Cindy, Lisa Becker, Mark Harrell, and John Harrell and his wife, Angela; 14 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Ella; his first wife and the mother of his children, Clovis Phillips; his wife, Carol Phillips; and his daughter, Lori Tighe.
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