William Philips
William “Bill” Lawrence Philips passed away peacefully on April 16th, 2019 in Spring Hill, Florida with his family by his side. Bill was born on October 6th, 1937 in Decorah, IA to Lawrence “Speed” and Norma Fritz Philips.
Bill attended school in West Union, IA graduating in 1955. He attended Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA. While in the area he was a volunteer in the West Union Fire Department. During this time, he served with his father and grandfather making three generations of Philips ‘serving together in West Union.
Bill joined the Air Force in 1956 and was stationed in Alaska, Washington and Alabama. He met Cali Fornia while stationed in Washington, and they were married August 9th, 1958 at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Tacoma, Washington. Once discharged from the Air Force he and Cali moved to Iowa where they lived much of their married life in Cedar Falls. He worked for Northwestern Bell /US West, and retired in September of 1995 after 34 years of service. Bill loved to visit casinos, and camping with Family and Friends. Bill took great pride in his Children and Grandchildren and the special times they shared.
Following his retirement, he and Cali relocated to Murdo, SD. During this time his passion was golf and gardening where he spent many hours perfecting his tomatoes and other vegetables. Additionally, he was very active at St. Martin’s Catholic Church, volunteering with the Lois Weber Charities, Meals on Wheels, and working with the Murdo Cemetery Board.
In 2004 following Cali’s passing he married Sherry Dykema on December 31s t at St. Martin’s Catholic Church. They made their home in Murdo. In 2015 Bill and Sherry relocated to Spring Hill, Florida where he continued to pursue his gardening and volunteered at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Spring Hill.
He is preceded in death by his parents, LT “Speed” and Norma Fritz Philips, wife Cali Fornia Philips and his granddaughter Lauren Schwab. He is survived by his wife, Sherry Dykema Philips of Spring Hill, Florida, daughter Elizabeth (Patrick) Schwab of Austin, Minnesota, son Anthony Philips, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and grandchildren Nathaniel Schwab of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Paiton Schwab of Austin, Minnesota.
A Mass of Christian burial was held on April, 22nd, 2019 at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, in Spring Hill, Florida. A Celebration of Life will be held in Murdo, SD on July 20, 2019 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church, followed by internment at Murdo Cemetery.
A memorial will be established in his name. 18P18