A beloved husband, brother, father, uncle, and friend left this earth after a lengthy battle with dementia, and heart and kidney diseases. He passed away on January 1, 2022 at the age of 91. William Gerald Phillips requested a cremation and that his ashes reside at National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix Arizona. No service will be held. Former Harrison resident, Gerald Phillips was born August 10, 1930, to Clifford and Ruby Phillips. Gerald was devoted to God, and freely supported the furtherance of education, stability, and health of churches and their communities.
Gerald was a bright boy and delighted in spending time with his brothers, sisters, and large extended family. He is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University, and the Universities of Arkansas and Arizona. He served in the US Army during the Korean War. In 1956, Gerald moved to Arizona with his wife, Joetta.
He worked many years for the Tucson School District as a junior high school math teacher. He was a lifelong student and loved learning. He was a certified CPA in the state of Arizona, and designed correspondence courses for U of Arizona. Gerald spent more than 30 years in Arizona. Gerald had a memorable sense of humor, and often spoke in sentences of mere punchlines to jokes (a habit that survives him). After retirement from teaching and the army (Col. retired), he and his wife, Joetta, returned to Harrison for over 20 years before moving to New Mexico. He is survived by his wife of over 66 years, Joetta; his brothers, Tilden and James Phillips; his children, Debra Phillips, Richard Phillips, and Lori Pulliam; his 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; his nieces and nephews, the children of his sisters and brothers, Anna Beth, Kenneth, Mary Sue, Tilden, and James; and his childhood friend, Robert Shaddox. Condolences may be sent to 2 Villa Ventosa Rd., El Prado, NM 87529. Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com
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About |
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| Name | William Gerald Phillips |
| Date of Birth | 1930 |
| Date of Death | January 1st, 2022 |
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Memorial |
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| Funeral Home | Rivera Family Funeral Home - Taos | |
| Address |
818 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur Taos NM 87571 United States |
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published a tribute .
As a daughter, the most favorite memories of my Father are the joy and excitement for any adventure. At water parks, scores of children would join us on rides because Dad was quite loudly exhilarated when anyone else was doused and the great bemoaner when he was the wet recipient. He was the person wholly to blame for the fact that he and I were once stuck in a log flume and the whole ride was stopped (briefly) until we were dislodged. Appropriately, one of the memorial pictures clearly depicts his concentration in maximizing his experience whilst upon a flume ride, along with his son and two granddaughters.
published a comment .
When I was about twelve, we were startled one evening by the repeated breaking of glass. All five members of the family went outside to find that a man (living across the street) was breaking the windows of his home with a hammer and threatening the Mother of his baby. Dad appeared to calmly walk into the situation, placing himself between the man, and the Mother and child. He informed the man that he could not allow him to become the man that kills the Mother of his child. He remained until the police took control of the situation. At times, Dad would recount moments in his life where he felt remorse for his actions, but I never heard him once mention this moment. Forgive me if I've disclosed something that he'd wish to remain unspoken.
published a comment .
I can’t remember there being any time I visited with your dad that wasn’t anything but pleasant. He was always kind and gentle mixed with an undercurrent of that Phillips mischievousness. Heaven‘s getting fuller. Glad there will be people like your dad to greet me when my time comes.
published a comment .
Do you remember the time he chased a guy all over town who had stolen a piece of mail from the mail box? The guy told other people in this low speed chase (they walked blocks and blocks before the police showed) that Dad was trying to rob him. No one intervened. He told Dad and the police, that he thought it likely there was a check or cash in the envelope when he took it. Dad was a rare breed.
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