Walter William Phillips

Walter W. Phillips of Livonia, Michigan, age 86, passed away surrounded with family by his side on January 22, 2024. Walter was born on May 15th, 1937 in Detroit, Michigan, the middle child and son to Walter and Frances Phillips (Hennigan). Walter was an extremely hard-working individual and since the age of 11 was leading and providing for his family. Walter graduated from St. Charles High School in 1955 in Detroit and later attended University of Detroit. He worked on Great Lakes freighter crews to help with schooling and was a proud Spartan graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Economics. Walt had a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and became a business and real estate owner, with a long-time partnership in Baty Insurance Agency, Inc.

Walter was a kind, compassionate, dedicated, dependable, and generous man. He was always friendly and genuine with everyone he met, and loved to tell stories. He often shared his passion for the great outdoors with friends and family. He enjoyed boating on the Detroit River and became a member of the Detroit Yacht Club, where he and his dear wife Elizabeth were married on December 26th1970. There were certainly stories about that boat and exciting times with the freighter crews. In addition to boating, he was an avid hunter and fisherman, and especially enjoyed spending time outdoors on annual trips with family and close friends. He was adventurous at heart and had travelled extensively on hunting and fishing trips including excursions to Alaska, Africa, and the Northwest Territories. Walter and Elizabeth also went on many cruises, European tours and even traveling to Australia and New Zealand well into their 80’s. He enjoyed spending time with friends and playing in monthly poker games. Walter was dedicated to spending precious time with family whether it be on motor home trips, going Up North to “the property” in Michigan, or at numerous sporting events to help support and cheer on his children and grandchildren.

Above all, Walter Phillips loved his family, and was so very proud of all of his children and grandchildren, and they adored him in return. He was a deeply devoted and loving, caring husband, father, and grandfather. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Ellen Marie Phillips, and his grandson, William Paul Phillips. He is survived by his cherished wife Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Phillips, children, John Scott Phillips, James Robert Phillips (Andrea), Erin Elizabeth Livedoti (Dominic Livedoti), and his grandchildren Julia Livedoti, Elise Livedoti, Leanna Phillips, Andrew Phillips, Christian Phillips, and Adalynn Phillips.

The Phillips family will receive friends and family Sunday, January 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Harry J. Will Funeral Home 37000 Six Mile Road, Livonia 48152 with a scripture service at 4 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Edith 15089 Newburgh Rd, Livonia, MI 48154 on Monday, January 29 Mr. Phillips will be instate at 10:30 a.m. with mass following at 11 a.m.