All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Wilma Jean Hamner Phillips

Wilma Jean Hamner Phillips passed from this life on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, under the care of Mountain Hospice at Mansfield Place in Philippi, W.Va. 

She was born at Sago, W.Va., the daughter of the late Lyle and Bernice Tenney Hamner.  In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, John Franklin Phillips; son John Wayne Phillips and wife Eileen; grandson Matthew Phillips; daughter Pamela Dawn Hawkins; and three sisters:  Virginia Allman, Ruth Hamner, and Gloria Rae Hamner. 

She is survived by two sons:  Robert Dewayne Phillips and wife Lisa of Buckhannon and Steven Blaine Phillips and wife Carolyn of French Creek; two daughters:  Gloria Ann and husband Rev. David L. Fisher of Buckhannon and Debra Sue and husband Franklin Ryan of French Creek; and one son-in-law Arnold Hawkins of Buckhannon.  Wilma enjoyed her seventeen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

Wilma worked for the Upshur County Board of Education teaching children the love of reading, which she enjoyed for many years. Wilma enjoyed gardening, quilting, and being and educator. She lived her life serving God as her Savior and loved her church family, neighbors, friends, and especially children. She was a devout Christian and member of the French Creek United Methodist Church where she was the official greeter and hugger as people entered for services; she loved giving away her hugs. 

The family extends a special thanks to Cathy Bonner and Margaret Anderson for their loving care of her at home. Wilma will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

The family will receive friends at the Heavner and Cutright Funeral Chapel on Friday, April 9, 2021, from 10-11 a.m. — the funeral hour, with the Rev. David L. Fisher officiating.  Interment will follow in the Buckhannon Memorial Park. 

Online condolences may be extended to the Phillips family at www.heavnerandcutright.com. The Phillips family entrusted the Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel with the arrangements.

My Buckhannon publishes obituaries free of charge as a courtesy to the family. Readers can support our publication by becoming a premium member.

Share this obituary:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Westfall reaches 1,000-point milestone as Bucs roll past Wheeling Park, 67-57

Senior Jerin Westfall scored a game-high 34 points, reached the 1,000-point career mark, and hauled in 15 rebounds as Buckhannon-Upshur defeated Wheeling Park 67-57.

Strawberry Festival Queen Kourtney Jones crowned 2026 WV Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen

Wesleyan nursing student and 2025 Strawberry Festival Queen Kourtney Jones was crowned the 2026 West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen on Jan. 10 in Charleston. She’ll serve as the statewide ambassador for fairs and festivals throughout 2026.

Skinner delivers hopeful State of the City on Buckhannon’s 210th anniversary

Mayor Robbie Skinner marked Buckhannon’s 210th anniversary with an optimistic State of the City address highlighting progress across city departments. He emphasized major infrastructure work, including a $47 million water treatment project, and looked ahead to continued improvements and the 84th WV Strawberry Festival.

Buckhannon Mayor Robbie Skinner’s full 2026 State of the City address

In remarks delivered Jan. 15, 2026, Mayor Robbie Skinner marks Buckhannon’s 210th anniversary and outlines the city’s progress in 2025. He highlights major water, sewer, street, engineering, police and fire initiatives—plus what’s ahead for 2026.

Larry Dale VanGilder

Larry Dale VanGilder, 77, a French Creek native, Army veteran and former mine security guard who loved hunting, fishing, sci‑fi and his pets, died January 15, 2026, and will be memorialized by family and military honors.

Local Rotary club expands soft-plastics recycling drop-off sites in Upshur County

The Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur has added more drop-off locations for its soft-plastics recycling project, keeping thousands of pounds out of local landfills. The effort helps fund balers and inclusive playground equipment made from recycled materials.

WVWC Center for Community Engagement & Leadership Development to host Community Labs on fundraising, marketing

WVWC’s Center for Community Engagement & Leadership Development is hosting free Community Labs to help local nonprofits, mission-driven groups, and businesses strengthen fundraising and marketing.

Upshur County Board of Education Agenda: January 20, 2026

The Upshur County Board of Education will hold a meeting January 20, 2026, and this notice outlines the agenda for that session.

Upshur County Convention & Visitors Bureau seeking executive director

Upshur County Convention & Visitors Bureau is hiring an executive director to lead tourism development, marketing and community engagement.

Basketball ‘Cats have no answers for UC’s offense in 100-58 setback

Charleston rolled to a 100–58 Mountain East Conference win over West Virginia Wesleyan, led by Matthew Shelton’s 20 points and strong depth as the Bobcats fell to 0–14.

Wesleyan women drop game at the buzzer to Charleston, 53-51

West Virginia Wesleyan fell 53-51 to Charleston after a final-second layup, despite Sydney Baird’s 14 points and Kilah Dandridge’s 12 points and five assists in a tightly contested Mountain East Conference game.

Tucker and Pingley record double-doubles as B-U secures first win of the year with a 58-43 victory over Robert C. Byrd

Madelyn Tucker and Emma Pingley each posted double-doubles as Buckhannon-Upshur earned its first win, defeating Robert C. Byrd 58-43 behind Tucker’s 20 points and 13 rebounds.