Billy W. Phillips, 86, joined his beloved wife, Ruth, in heaven on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, after a brief illness. He was born at home in Keokee, Virginia on October 27, 1933, to Vernon Roby and Flossie Mae (Dean) Phillips. Billy moved to Dayton, Ohio in 1953, and on his first day in Dayton, was interviewed for a job at Frigidaire, where he was hired on the spot, before he even had secured a place to live! Billy continued to live in the Dayton area (Tipp City, Clayton, Union) until his death, and worked for Frigidaire, Kersch Cash, and General Motors. He retired from GM Inland in 1984 with 30 years of service. Billy met his dear wife Ruth Loretta (Yost) Phillips at Kersch Cash in 1957 when they both were working there. They married November 14, 1959 at her brother Bobby’s home. They were married for 55 years until her death in March 2014. In his younger days, Billy enjoyed fishing, rabbit hunting and dancing. In his retirement he loved to visit flea markets and garage sales (and an occasional McDonald’s or two). And throughout his life he liked to spend time with family, listen to country music, and watch baseball, boxing and wrestling on TV. Every summer he grew a large vegetable garden, and only stopped doing it in the last several years.

Billy was predeceased by his parents, Vernon R. and Flossie (Dean) Phillips; his wife, Ruth Loretta (Yost) Phillips; and by all his brothers: Hargus Phillips, Roby Phillips, Darrell Phillips, Jack Phillips, and Johnnie Phillips; and his sisters: Audrey Phillips, Yvonne Phillips, Shirley Phillips Fuller, and an infant sister, Polly Sue Phillips.

He is survived by daughter, Brenda S. Jones, of Union, Ohio, daughter, Sandra K. Nawman, of Union, Ohio, son, Billy A. (Jennifer), of Dublin, Ohio; grandson, Sean Goodrich, of Cincinnati, Ohio; granddaughter, Michele Phillips, of Dayton, Ohio; and great-granddaughter, Malena Phillips, of Dayton, Ohio; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by former son-in-law, Thomas Nawman of Dayton, Ohio.

The family will have a private graveside service, with interment at Forest Hills Memorial Gardens in Tipp City, Ohio. Family requests no flowers, but donations to Hospice of Dayton would be most appreciated.

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