Billy Lee Phillips, 69, of Fitzgerald died Monday, May 11, 2009 at his residence.
Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M., Thursday, May 14, 2009 at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald with Rev. Sonny Pate, Rev. Ray Johnson and Rev. Rex Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in the Arp Cemetery with full military honors. The family will receive friends from 7-9 Wednesday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Phillips was born September 25, 1939 in the Arp community to the late Oliver and Stella Lee Phillips. He graduated from Irwin County High School in 1957. The next year following graduation, Mr. Phillips joined the United States Air Force. He served honorably for 20 years, retiring as a Staff Sergeant (E-5) in October 1978. Returning home, he received his radio, television, and automotive repair training from Ben Hill-Irwin Tech, graduating in 1979. He was retired owner/operator of Phillips Automotive Repair in Fitzgerald. Mr. Phillips was a member of Arp Baptist Church where he had served as Sunday School Superintendent and as church clerk. A member of American Legion Post 99, he had served as commander and deputy commander.
Mr. Phillips is survived by his wife: Daphine A. Phillips of Fitzgerald; one son: Brian (Sandy) Phillips of Port Richy, FL; two stepsons: Tony (Virginia) Aycock and Toby (Erin) Aycock of Fitzgerald; four step-granddaughters; two step-great-grandchildren; one sister: Betty (Carroll) Singletary of Irwin County; and three step-brothers: Johnny (Sue) Hancock, Jerry (Pat) Hancock both of Irwinville and Jimmy (Sarah) Hancock of Gray and several nieces and nephews. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Jackie Phillips.