Bobby Ray Phillips, 94, died Sept. 17, at Good Samaritan in Fairfield Glade, with his wife Betsy and eldest son Anthony by his side.
The eldest of four children, Bob was born on Sept. 21, 1929, to the late James Lester and Blanche Liles Phillips in Cullman County, AL. A Korean War Veteran, he served in U.S. Naval Aviation for four years.
Bob is survived by his wife of 32 years, Betsy Miller Phillips; three children, Anthony of Hixson, TN; Leisha Shaver (Dean) of Concord, NC; and Darryl (Jane) of Raleigh, NC; stepchildren, Eric Miller (Julie) of Salisbury, MD; and Holly Harris of Houston, TX.
Also, six grandchildren, Marissa Shaver of Portland, OR; Cameron (Davis) Shaver of Malbergweich, Germany; Challie (Andrew) Monk of Columbia, SC; Grant (Caroline) Shaver of Elgin, SC; Ashley Lusk of Soddy Daisy, TN: Keith Phillips of Raleigh, NC; step-granddaughter, Nicole (Logan) Robertson of Cypress, TX; six great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; beloved cousins; niece; and nephew.
In addition to his first wife, Tommie McGukin; and his parents, Bob was preceded in death by two brothers, James Warren Phillips of Mississippi and Billy Don Phillips of Alabama; and sister, Frances Phillips McCreary of Alabama.
After marrying Tommie in 1953, Bob graduated in three years from the University of Alabama with a degree in Metallurgical Engineering. He spent 40 years in the chemical industry moving his growing family first to Texas, then Alabama, Indonesia, Florida, North Carolina, and Indiana in various engineering and management positions. Bob retired from CF Industries after 23 years in 1996.
Bob was an avid fan of Crimson Tide sports, especially football, teaching his children early-on where their first collegiate allegiance lay.
Upon retiring to Fairfield Glade in 1996, Bob and Betsy enjoyed extensive travel, both home and abroad. He was proud of having visited all 50 states. Bob reveled in being his own travel agent, arranging all minute details and passing on tips, airport layouts and maps to his children and grandchildren.
Civic involvement included: coaching his sons’ Little League teams; co-founder, Murfreesboro (NC) High School Athletic Booster Club; deacon, Murfreesboro Baptist Church; lifetime member, American Society of Metals; Murfreesboro Exchange Club; American Legion Post 0163 of Crossville; Korean War Veteran Association Plateau Chapter 297 of Cumberland Co.; and the “Hackers” Golf group in Fairfield Glade. While Bob and Betsy were longtime members of Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church, he was most recently a member of Fellowship Baptist Church there.
The family would like to express gratitude to those at the Good Samaritan Society and Caris Hospice who provided loving care for our dad and husband over the last year.
The graveside service will be Friday, September 27, 11 a.m. at Eva Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home, Hartselle, directing. Pastor Brian Trennepohl of Fellowship Baptist Church, Fairfield Glade, will officiate.
The eldest of four children, Bob was born on Sept. 21, 1929, to the late James Lester and Blanche Liles Phillips in Cullman County, AL. A Korean War Veteran, he served in U.S. Naval Aviation for four years.
Bob is survived by his wife of 32 years, Betsy Miller Phillips; three children, Anthony of Hixson, TN; Leisha Shaver (Dean) of Concord, NC; and Darryl (Jane) of Raleigh, NC; stepchildren, Eric Miller (Julie) of Salisbury, MD; and Holly Harris of Houston, TX.
Also, six grandchildren, Marissa Shaver of Portland, OR; Cameron (Davis) Shaver of Malbergweich, Germany; Challie (Andrew) Monk of Columbia, SC; Grant (Caroline) Shaver of Elgin, SC; Ashley Lusk of Soddy Daisy, TN: Keith Phillips of Raleigh, NC; step-granddaughter, Nicole (Logan) Robertson of Cypress, TX; six great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; beloved cousins; niece; and nephew.
In addition to his first wife, Tommie McGukin; and his parents, Bob was preceded in death by two brothers, James Warren Phillips of Mississippi and Billy Don Phillips of Alabama; and sister, Frances Phillips McCreary of Alabama.
After marrying Tommie in 1953, Bob graduated in three years from the University of Alabama with a degree in Metallurgical Engineering. He spent 40 years in the chemical industry moving his growing family first to Texas, then Alabama, Indonesia, Florida, North Carolina, and Indiana in various engineering and management positions. Bob retired from CF Industries after 23 years in 1996.
Bob was an avid fan of Crimson Tide sports, especially football, teaching his children early-on where their first collegiate allegiance lay.
Upon retiring to Fairfield Glade in 1996, Bob and Betsy enjoyed extensive travel, both home and abroad. He was proud of having visited all 50 states. Bob reveled in being his own travel agent, arranging all minute details and passing on tips, airport layouts and maps to his children and grandchildren.
Civic involvement included: coaching his sons’ Little League teams; co-founder, Murfreesboro (NC) High School Athletic Booster Club; deacon, Murfreesboro Baptist Church; lifetime member, American Society of Metals; Murfreesboro Exchange Club; American Legion Post 0163 of Crossville; Korean War Veteran Association Plateau Chapter 297 of Cumberland Co.; and the “Hackers” Golf group in Fairfield Glade. While Bob and Betsy were longtime members of Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church, he was most recently a member of Fellowship Baptist Church there.
The family would like to express gratitude to those at the Good Samaritan Society and Caris Hospice who provided loving care for our dad and husband over the last year.
The graveside service will be Friday, September 27, 11 a.m. at Eva Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home, Hartselle, directing. Pastor Brian Trennepohl of Fellowship Baptist Church, Fairfield Glade, will officiate.
