William K Phillips
July 17, 1945 ~ October 18, 2013
William K. Phillips, 68, of Franklin, passed away at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, October 18, 2013 at his residence following an illness. Born July 17, 1945 in New Kensington, Bill was the son of the late Kenneth and Elizabeth Kline Phillips. He was married to the former Patricia Andres on October 14, 1994, who survives. Bill was a Vietnam Veteran having served with the United States Army Airborne, and was very proud of his military service. Bill retired from the Valley Grove School District, where he taught Science and Math for many years. While teaching, Bill was instrumental in developing several Elementary Sports Programs. He was an announcer for sporting events at the schools, and collected over 1 million pop tabs, which were donated to the Dogs for the Deaf Program. Bill was very active in softball and played on softball teams for many years. He enjoyed golfing with his brother Ray and his friend, David Zaccari. He was a member of the Rocky Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church, the American Legion, and the Franklin Elks. In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by his children, Matthew Phillips and his wife, Hermione, of Waldorf, Maryland, Beth Jankowski and her husband, Paul, of Thetford, England, David Thurman and his wife, Nicole, of Pylesville, Maryland, and Donna Rapp and her husband, Michael, of Franklin. He is additionally survived by his grandchildren, Owen and Olivia Rapp, Austin and Gavin Phillips, Jacob, Chloe and Jonah Jankowski, and Cooper and Eli Thurman. Bill is also survived by his brothers, Howdy Phillips and his wife, Terri, of Pittsburgh, Ray Phillips and his wife, Candy, of Cannonsburg, and Roger Phillips of Saltsburg. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Mosticone Phillips. Family and friends will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin on Monday, October 21 from 3 to 7 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, October 22 at 11 a.m at the Rocky Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Sue Nageotte, pastor of the Rocky Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church, and Rev. Harvey Boal, pastor of the Cochranton Presbyterian Church, co-officiating. Full military honors will be accorded by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Bill Phillips Scholarship Fund - c/o Bridge Builders Community Foundations, 206 Seneca Street, Oil City, PA 16301. To send online condolences, flowers, cards, or for further information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfunerahome.com.
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Patty and Family; Craig and Linda send their condolences and their love, We are saddened yet know he is healed and without pain; and he is in the presence of the Lord. Much love and hugs, Craig, Linda and Tam.
I am so sorry for your loss, my the Lord hold you and yours in his loving arms of comfort until you and Bill are reunited in a much better place.
Patty~ My heart goes out to you and your family.Know that God is holding Him and you right now…LOVE & PRAYERS my friend.
Ken and I are very sorry about Bill’s death. We know how close your whole family is and ache for your loss. Sometimes life just plain hurts to the core. This is one of those times for the entire Phillips family. Please know we care and send our deepest sympathies your way.
Our deepest sympathies to the Phillips Family and loved ones.
To Bill’s family:
I would like to express my deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather. I was very sorry to read about his passing, and I wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you at this difficult time.
I was very proud to be one of Bill’s colleagues in the Valley Grove School District. He was a dedicated and wonderful teacher who made a difference in his students’ lives. Although he left this world much too soon, he will never be forgotten.
It is my sincere hope that in time your happy memories will bring you some small measure of comfort and peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the difficult days that lie ahead.
Sincerely,
Rosalyn Miller
Our deepest sympathy in this time of loss. May God grant you peace and condolence. Mr. Phillips impacted many young lives, including mine, through the years
Dear Ray, Candy:
Our deepest sympathy to you both and your entire family at this difficult time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Sending lots of hugs and love, Janet and Tony.
Patty and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
To the Family of Comrade Phillips,
Our sincerest sympathies in the loss of Comrade Phillips. His name will be posted on our “Post Everlasting” page at our web site and a Memorial Service will be held at the next Post meeting. The Post Charter will be draped in his honor for the next thirty days.
For God & Country,
American Legion Post 32
Oil City, PA
So so sorry to hear of your loss. Drew was grateful that he got to see Bill a little more than a week ago and spend quality time with him. We did not know of the visitation and service until this morning – too late to come. Our deepest sympathy to Patti, Beth and family, Matt and family, Bill’s brothers and families, and Patti’s family. May God grant you peace. Bill was a lifelong friend and will be missed.
To The Family of Mr. Phillips,
So sorry to hear of the passing of one of my favorite teachers of all time.
I thought all teachers should be like him. My parents were very good volunteer friends back in the day when he first started teaching at Cooperstown Elem.
He brought Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn to life for us. He also did a mean Becky Thatcher. My daughter is now a teacher and she has remarkable stories for her career barometer – thanks to “Mr. Phillips”
Blessings,
Tami (Burke) Duda
Dear Bill Phillips Family,
I had the pleasure of knowing Bill as a Rocky Grove Graduate and a Softball player. We played together for a couple of years. What a great man and example for me to follow. Each time we ran into each other, I could not pass up the chance to go talk to him. I am sorry I missed the viewing. I know he will be dearly missed. My heart is heavy for you. God bless you at this time of sadness.
Steve Persing
To Bill’s family,
Please accept my sincere condolences for your recent loss. I remember Bill as a teacher and the uncomfortable feeling i had when we later played softball for Sportsworld. It was the first time I was on the field with someone I respected in that capacity. He must have noticed (since i kept calling him Mr. Phillips) as he quickly came over with his patented “young man”…let’s get two things straight: Call me Bill and let’s have fun. From then on, I respected him even more.
With sympathy,
Ken ‘Teke’ Brannon
patty my deepest sympathies to you and your family i played softball with him for what now seems like just yesterday altho i know it has been many years now God be with you and carry you