Willard E. Phillips

Willard Phillips

Oct 15, 1922 - Aug. 18, 2014

KEARNEY, Neb. -- Willard E. Phillips, 91, of Kearney, died Monday, Aug. 18, 2014, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney.

Funeral services are 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Bishop Gregory Brown officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church or the Wounded Warrior Project. Condolences may be shared at www.osrfh.com. O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Willard Eugene Phillips, the youngest of four children born to John and Laura (Clark) Phillips, blessed the world with his presence on Oct. 15, 1922, in Smithfield, Nebraska. Growing up in the same area and after the family moved to different locations, Willard attended school in Hollinger, Nebraska, and graduated high school from Beaver City, Nebraska, in 1940. Willard joined the United States Navy in March of 1941 and proudly served in WWII aboard ship as a communications specialist and at the young age of 19, was three miles off-shore when Pearl Harbor was struck. Years later, Willard still shared his memories of this time and was able to take part of the Hero's Flight to Washington, D.C.

Upon discharge from the military in 1947, Willard returned to his native Nebraska, settling in the McCook area, working in the grocery business for many years and then retiring from the industry.

While living in McCook, he met the person whom he said made his life complete. He and Dorothy Miller were united in marriage on May 9, 1981, and to this blessed union, Willard became the father figure to four children who he treated as if they were his own.

Being very true to their beliefs and their following of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Phillips family moved to the Salt Lake City, Utah, area. Willard was blessed with becoming a High Priest of the church and devoting his life to his religion.

Upon the passing of his beloved wife, Dorothy, Willard returned to the Kearney, Nebraska, area to be near his siblings and his home roots.

Willard was an avid history buff and worked very hard on tracing his family roots. Many years of hard work and knowledge has been passed down to the extended family members.

With his passing on Aug. 18, 2014, his wit and wisdom will be missed but his soul will be eternal. He is a true son of his Savior and will live in our hearts forever.

Willard is survived by son, Bob Robinson and wife, Jan of American Fork, Utah; daughters, Debbie Parry of Layton, Utah, Robyin Hermis and husband, Ryan of Arapahoe, Nebraska, and Susan Houston and husband, Robert of South Ogden, Utah; 15 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceeded in death by his wife; one grandson, Jeffery Siens; parents; sisters, Eula Young and Doii Cross and brother, Delmar Phillips.