Joseph Wylie Phillips, 86, of Orlando, Florida, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, January 24, 2024. Born December 17, 1937, in Pickens, South Carolina, Joseph was the oldest child of Heyward and Minnie (Azalee) Phillips. Joseph was preceded in death by his loving wife, Carol Grace (Marchbanks), with whom he shared 60 years. Surviving to cherish his memory are his children, Joey H. Phillips (Bernie) of Virginia Beach, VA; Larry D. Phillips (Kim) of Landrum, SC; Roger D. Phillips (Joy) of St. Cloud FL; and Theresa Kraft (Philip) of Orlando, FL, as well as 13 grandchildren (Stephanie, Libby, Ryan, Lori, Katrina, Jimmy, Josh, Ashlie, Luke, Jared, Joe, Nick, Jake) and 13 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are his beloved sisters Barbara Moore, of Piedmont, SC, and Sarah Flynn of Greer, SC and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by brother, H. Cecil Phillips, Sr. of Travelers Rest, SC, and brothers-in-law Jeff Flynn of Greer, SC, and Billy Jones of Greenville, SC.
During Joe's 31-year Naval Career he served at the following duty stations:
* Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, IL
* Hospital Corpsman School, Great Lakes, IL
* Naval Hospital, St. Albans, NY
* USS Newport News CA-148
* Naval Hospital, Beaufort, SC
* Da Nang Vietnam
* ATKRON 192 RVN, USS Ticonderoga, CVA-4
* Marine Corps Officer Selection Team, Milwaukee WI
* USS Wainwright DLG-28
* Naval Hospital, Orlando FL (Two tours, the second as Command Master Chief)
* USS Bryce Canyon AD-36
* Naval Hospital, Memphis, TN
When not at sea, he loved spending time with family and traveling to visit extended family. A cherished family memory was a mountain vacation where Dad stopped at every location they requested including, Rock City, Ghost Town, and Ruby Falls. This was a blessed departure from military moves. On those family vacations we often left at three or four in the morning and only stopped when it was time to get gas.
Known as Wylie by his family, he loved being in their presence. No one blended the in-laws better than mom and dad. On the trips home he listened as she planned out all the visits where he would sit up all hours of the night talking of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles, extending even to the in-laws of in-laws. He loved family.
Arrangements have been made at Woodlawn Cemetery, Gotha, FL. for Monday, January 29, 2024. Visitation will be held at 9 AM, Celebration of Life Service at 10 AM and interment with Military Honors at 11 AM
A celebration of life service for Joseph will be held Monday, January 29, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734. An interment will occur Monday, January 29, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734. A visitation will occur Monday, January 29, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734.
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