Joe was born to Thomas and Katherine Phillips on July 6th, 1926. He was raised and went to school in Collbran, CO. After his graduation in 1944 he was drafted into the Army and spent 2 years in the Philippines. Upon his return he met Eleanor Jean Spaid and they were married on January 16th, 1949. From this union of 62 years they had three children Joyce, William and Peggy. He has 4 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson. Joe moved his family to Glenwood Springs, CO in 1956 and spent 26 years running a delivery route to Aspen for Meadow Gold Dairies. After his retirement from them he went to work for the USFS working on the road crew during the summers for 10 years. Joe and Eleanor moved back to Grand Junction in 1992 where they spent their retirement. Joe had a long and happy life. He was loved and will be missed by many.