William Philip Deaton

Born, February 9, 1945 in Clayhole, Kentucky and died June 22, 2015 while living in Trussville, Alabama.

He was a Christian, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, Kentuckian, Appalachian, Southerner, engineer, Air Force veteran, fisherman, hunter, frog gigger, farmer, woodworker, erstwhile miner, pinball machinist, culinary artist, church builder, honorary Chilean, alleged moonshiner, Scoutmaster, below average but dedicated singer, college basketball enthusiast, and more.

He studied civil engineering at the University of Kentucky and pursued a successful career in his field. His innovative designs can be seen in developments and projects across the entire country, his pioneering work being often imitated, but never duplicated. In addition to being mathematically brilliant, he had a creative side those closest to him enjoyed, primarily through his gourmet cooking and original works of wooden art. He was exceedingly generous, digging deep to build and support a church in La Serena, Chile over many years.

This past New Year's Day, he celebrated fifty years of marriage to his high school sweetheart at the beach surrounded by his entire family, and no new year will ever feel quite so new. For you see, in May 2013, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer, which attacked him for over two years. On June 22, 2015, at about 10:30pm, the cancer lost and Heaven won.

His surviving family celebrates his seventy years of life, including his wife, Linda Carol Hatton Deaton; his children, William Philip “Bill” Deaton, Jr. and Teri, Lauren Scott (Deaton) Laughridge and Lee, Tyler Hatton Deaton and Jay; his sister and brothers Anna Lee Deaton, Lacy Deaton, Jr. and Arbadella, and James Deaton and Karen; his sister-in-law Ruth Sharp; his grandchildren Carolanne, Cameron, Caroline, Campbell, and Clare; twelve foster children; and his granddogs Leo, Lola, Lukas, and Ella.

A funeral is scheduled for Thursday, June 25 at Noon at Ridout’s Trussville Chapel at 1500 Gadsden Road in Birmingham. Visitation will begin at 11:00am.

A brief interment service will take place that afternoon at 2:45pm at the National Cemetery in Montevallo, Alabama at 3133 Highway 119.

Family and friends are invited to join in a celebration of Phil’s life at 4:30 at the family’s home.

Flowers and condolences may be sent to Ridout’s Trussville Chapel, 1500 Gadsden Rd, Birmingham, AL 35235 (205-655-2173).