Raymond Edwin Phillips, 95, of Buckhannon, W.Va., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va. surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Nov. 4, 1923, in French Creek, W.Va., the son of the late Lyman Edwin and Delphia Loudin Phillips.
He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Catherine Smith; two daughters, Barbara A. Hinkle of Buckhannon and Brenda K. Johns and husband Nelson all of Buckhannon; one son, Bradley Phillips and wife Janet of Buckhannon; grandchildren, Gary Koon of Winfield, W.Va., Lianna Purce of Madisonville, Ky., Lisa Crumm and husband Jack of Elkins, W.Va., Les Johns and wife Missy of Wellsburg, W.Va., Scott Johns and wife Brianna of Wooster, Ohio, and Aaron Johns of Buckhannon; 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren and another expected in March and many nieces and nephews; two sisters, Alice Virginia Jones and Mabel Lee Hupp both of Buckhannon.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by infant brother, Sidney Herbert and son-in-law, Carl Hinkle.
Mr. Phillips graduated from B-UHS in 1943 and was a member of the football team and became an avid sports fan. He was one of the founders and past president of B-U Football Boosters Club.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Atlantic and Pacific on an Aircraft Carrier. Mr. Phillips served on the USS Tripoli from June 1943 to Nov. 1945.
He was an agent for State Farm Insurance Company in Upshur County for 40 years, retiring in Jan. 1990. During that time, he was involved in various community activities, serving as President for the County Commission for one term from 1/01/1969 to 12/31/1974, a member and president of Buckhannon Chamber of Commerce, former member of the Buckhannon Lions Club, the Rotary Club, Vice President for the Buckhannon-Upshur Business Development Corp., a member of the United Commercial Travelers, The Buckhannon Country Club and founder of the Mountain Men’s Golf League, a member of the Frank B. Bartlett Post 7 American Legion and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Buckhannon.
Since retirement Mr. Phillips loved golfing, wood working, helping build homes, gardening, and camping.
Friends will be received Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Heavner officiating. Burial will follow in Buckhannon Memorial Park. The Upshur County Honor Guard will conduct military Honors at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Frank B. Bartlett Post 7 American Legion in Buckhannon. C/O Treasurer 16 S. Kanawha St. Buckhannon, WV 26201.
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