Bill was raised in the Prescott, KS area and graduated from Prescott High School with the Class of 1966. Following high school, he lived in Ft. Scott for a time before moving to Nevada. Bill served in the National Guard for 12 years in Kansas and Missouri. In 1974 Bill began working at Guthrie Motors and later Yockey Motors. In 1985 he began operating Phillips Auto Sales rebuilding wrecked cars, and in 1998 he opened Phillips Towing Service which he operated for nearly 25 years. He enjoyed going to car auctions in Branson, MO, traveling, and racing at Nevada Speedway for whom he also provided wrecker service. He was a member and past vice president of the Compton Juction Fire Department. Bill also enjoyed his early morning coffee and met regularly with his group of friends at Burger King.
Survivors include two children, Ilene Lanham (Shan), Nevada, MO, and Eric Phillips (Anna), Nevada, MO; three grandchildren, Briannah Lanham, Conner Lanham, Grevyn Phillips; one brother, Marion Phillips (Juanita), Ft. Scott, KS; and a niece, Tiffany Fisher, Seabrook, NH. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Andrew Phillips, and his wife Susan Phillips.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 14, 2023 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Robert Titus officiating. Interment will follow in Prescott Cemetery in Prescott, KS. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested in his name to the Compton Juction Fire Department c/o Ferry Funeral Home.
