William James Phillips

Mr. Phillips 92 went home to be with the Lord on January 27, 2021 at his Lakeshore home in Jacksonville Florida. Mr. Phillips was born at the Charlton County Jail July 31, 1928 in Folkston Georgia where is father served as a jailer. He was the son of the late Albert Phillips and Leola Virginia Mills Phillips. His step grandfather was the late Sheriff William Harley Mizell who married his grandmother Novenia Roddenberry Phillips Mizell.

Mr. Phillips is survived by his daughter, Annetta Marian Phillips (Fernandina Beach), grandson Wyatt Fenton Lee (Amber) of Moorehaven, FL, daughter, Antionette Marie Phillips (Fernandina Beach), grandsons Russell Garrett Chaney (Summer), great grandsons Skylar & Liam Chaney. Grandson Hunter Ryan Chaney (Kaci), great grandson Easton Chaney of South Carolina, and a brother Albert Lamar Phillips (Joyce) Appopka, FL, nephews Kirk Musselman (Donna), Longwood, Fl, Christopher Phillips (Amy) of Traphill North Carolina, sister-in-law Mary Phillips of Rincon Ga, nephew Jerome Paul, niece Darlene Phillips, several great nieces and nephews, cousins Woody Mills (Woody Mills (Woody’s BBQ), Phil Mills and Sharon Mills. His VFW Post 7909 family & friends who loved him dearly. Care givers Rhonda Rhoton and Wyatt Bell. Neighbor and friend Michael Rhoton.

He is preceded in death by a daughter Anita Miriam Phillips, and a brother Jerome Paul.

As a child, Jimmie was very close to his paternal grandmother. She would cook peanuts for him to sell in town earning 5 cents a bag. His parents moved from Folkston, Georgia to Jacksonville, Florida whereas a young boy he would shine shoes at the old Imeson Airport off Main Street for 10 cents a shine. He attended Panama Park Elementary & Kirby Smith Junior High School. At the age of 15, he quit school in the nineth grade earning his GED. Jimmie left to live with his grandmother Mizell in Folkston, Georgia. His grandmother was able to get a false birth certificate showing Jimmie to be 18 yrs. of age, instead of 15 yrs. of age so he could get a job with the Atlantic Coastline Railroad where he learned to be a telegraph operator. Holding a long cane pole with the telegraph attached, he would pass telegraph orders to train crews as they passed through the station.

At the true age of eighteen, Jimmie went to the Jacksonville Shipyards telling them he wanted a job. He joined the merchant marines with the Seafarer’s Union where they put him on a ship sailing around the horn of Africa then New York, and back to Jacksonville. In 1950 Jimmie joined the United States Navy where he was an engineman (EN2) on several ships transporting POW’s from Korea to Japan during the Korean War. Jimmie was a great photographer. He photographed his travels aboard different ships he served on. Documenting his journeys along every seaport. He carried in his wallet a red star that fell from a Korean prisoner’s hat while boarding a ship during the war. He was very proud to have served his country, sharing his many stories to his veteran friends whom he loved dearly at VFW Post 7909.

In 1957, Mr. Phillips began working for the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier. He retired in 1983 at the age of 55 from the Downtown Jacksonville Post office. The day of his retirement, Jimmie played the song over the intercom - “Take This Job and Shove It” before leaving his last day. After his retirement, he served as a guard for the Federal Courthouse in Jacksonville, drove as a courier for Pronto Courier Services and a guard for Wells Fargo Armored Car service. Jimmie sure had a sense of humor.

Jimmie and his brothers Jerome Paul & Albert Lamar played guitars in the 50’s & 60’s for fun. He and his brothers played on the radio station in Jacksonville, Florida several times. While Jimmie could play the guitar his younger brother Jerome was the musician.

Jimmie was Past Master of Ezra Lodge #67, Past Master of Albert J. Russell Lodge #126 Past District Deputy Grand Master of Florida, member of Hyde Park Lodge #370, member of the Jacksonville Scottish Rite KCCH, member of The Fraternal Order of Eastern Star, and a 32nd degree Mason. Mr. Phillips was a member of the Masonic Order for 59 ½ years.

Jimmie was a member of the Morocco Shrine in Jacksonville, FL where he served in several units including Legion of Honor and lastly, the Oriental Band.

Hardage Giddens funeral home Normandy Blvd. Jacksonville, Florida is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday February 2, 2021. Funeral services will be at Hardage Giddens funeral home Normandy Blvd. Jacksonville, Florida on Wednesday February 3, 2021 at 10:00 AM. Jimmie will be laid to rest at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery Jacksonville Florida with Masonic Rights and Military Honors beside his second wife Margaret.

After the service, the family will have a Celebration of Life at VFW Post 7909 Blanding Blvd. Jacksonville, FL.

The family would like to thank Community Hospice of Jacksonville, especially his nurse Kristen, social worker Kathy and CNA Brenda for their caring support.

Members of VFW Post 7909 will serve as Pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers grandson’s Wyatt Fenton Lee, Russell Garret Chaney, Hunter Ryan Chaney, nephews Kirk Mussleman, and Christopher Phillips.

Wyatt Fenton Lee, Jimmie’s oldest grandson, Pastor Robert Fore presiding. Reverend L. Bernard Thompson committal.