William L. “Bill” Phillips, 66, a lifelong Parsons resident, died at 4:26 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at Elmhaven West nursing home in Parsons. He had been in failing health.

He was born July 6, 1942, in Parsons to Eldred C. and Elsie M. (Ginn) Phillips. He grew up on the family farm in rural Parsons and moved to town when he was 15 years old. In 1960, he graduated from Labette County High School at Altamont.

On Sept. 8, 1962, he married Sharon K. Clary at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Parsons. She preceded him in death on July 24, 1982.

He had been employed at the Parsons Co-op and Charloma Fiberglass in Cherryvale. He worked at WSKT/Old Dominion for several years before retiring because of his health. He had also worked for a time for his good friend, John Hamilton, at Hamilton Trenching Co.

He had been a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He loved living in the country and enjoyed raising quarter horses and cattle in past years. He was also a big fan of professional bull riding, the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas State University sports.

Survivors include a daughter, Lisa Harrington and her husband, Will, of Parsons; a son, Scott Phillips and his wife, Donna, of Kansas City, Mo.; two grandsons, Clayton Dock and Kyle Dock, both of Parsons; two brothers, Robert “Bob” Phillips and his wife, Betty, of Oakley and Thomas “Tom” Phillips of Harrisonville, Mo.; and three sisters, Kathryn Shanholtzer and her husband, Chuck, of McCune, Lois Tredway of Parsons and Peggy Kolb of Hiawatha.

Preceding him in death was his beloved wife, Sharon, and his parents.

The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

The rosary will be recited at 3 p.m., Sunday and visitation will be until 5 p.m. at Carson-Wall Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Church or the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and may be left at or sent to the funeral home at Box 942, Parsons, 67357.