At age of 13, his family moved to one house from the city property line of Westchester County, still a city boy and still a New Yorker. He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in 1947 and worked in a steel mill in Alliance, Ohio and later as a roofer in Miami, Florida. He attended and graduated from the University of Alabama in 1953 and was immediately inducted into the service as a Second Lieutenant of the United States Air Force. Phil's most interesting assignment was as the NATO Nuclear Safety Officer with headquarters USAF Europe in Wiesbaden, Germany. As such he toured all of the NATO organizations involved at the time with United States nuclear weapons program. His last assignment was as Squadron Commander of a munitions squadron in Takhli, Thailand supporting the Vietnam conflict. Retiring after 21 years with the US Air Force at the rank of Major.
Retiring to the Phoenix, Arizona area, he moved to Sun City, where Phil met his lovely wife to be, Lorraine and her daughter Ashley. After their marriage they lived in Glendale, AZ and later Payson, AZ. Tiring of the city life they relocated in the northern Alabama City of Florence where they enjoyed the southern food and culture for several years, before returning to Sun City.
Phil is survived by his spouse, Lorraine Phillips; his step daughter Ashley Logan (Tony); his son Justin Phillips; his son Bart Phillips; and his daughter Sarah Burbank (John). Along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A military honors for Phil will be held Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 9:00 AM at Sunland Mortuary Lakeside Chapel, 15826 N Del Webb Blvd, Sun City, AZ.
Phil will be laid to rest in National Memorial Veteran Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunlandmemorial.com for the Phillips family.
