George J. Phillips, Derby
1928 - 2008
Virgil native George J. Phillips of Derby died Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008. He was 79.
Mr. Phillips was a sheet metal machinist with Boeing and Cessna in Wichita before he retired. He was a veteran of the Korean War and received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
The son of George H. and Hilda J. Paulson Phillips, he was born April 8, 1928, at Virgil. He married Ruby Thorton on Jan. 1, 1956, at Newton. She died earlier.
Mr. Phillips was a lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans.
He is survived by three daughters, Diana Biby of Emporia, Sharon Mies of Pratt and Deborah Ponce of Derby; one son, Gary Phillips of Haysville; one sister, Betty Friend of Springfield, Mo.; 14 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and many great-great-grandchildren. A son, Terry Phillips; a daughter, Karen Kliewer; a granddaughter, Tina Mies; a grandson, Trevor Clark; three brothers and two sisters died earlier.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Smith Mortuary in Derby. The graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in Virgil Cemetery at Virgil. The family will meet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 16261, Wichita, KS 67216 or Meals on Wheels, 200 S. Walnut, Wichita, KS 67213.