William R. “Joe” Phillips

William R. “Joe” Phillips passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025, at his home on Angel Ridge in Athens, just steps from where his family’s farmhouse stood and where he was born on January 9, 1947. He was the son of the late William Richard and Agnes Doane Phillips and a graduate of Shade High School. He liked to share that he was ranked 11th in his graduating class, before mentioning there were only 12 graduates in total. He spent his entire life on “the ridge,” a place he loved deeply and where he found his greatest peace. His family is grateful that his final moments were spent in the place that meant so much to him.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by a sister, Catherine “Kate” Phillips, a brother, William Robert “Bud” Phillips, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Virginia (Harold) McKibben, Ruth (Wayne) Harris, Clara Jean (David) Sayers, and Ray (Simone), Clarence (Bonnie), Charles (Mary Ann), and Ronald Jordan.

Joe married Barb (Jordan) Phillips, who survives, on September 8, 1965. Together, they raised two daughters, Kim (Scott)McClain and Shari Phillips, to whom Joe passed down the value of hard work and the importance of family. He was a proud Papaw, and nothing brought him more joy than his grandchildren, Jordan (Derek) Boudinot and Austin McClain, and great-grandson, Holden Boudinot. Whether it was sharing a laugh, slipping them a little wisdom, or cheering them on quietly in the background, he showed up for them in ways that mattered most.

Joe is also survived by his beloved fur baby, Sami Jo, and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Marie (Paul) Elswick, Nancy (Howard) Sharpe, Joe (Bernita) Jordan, Denver (Sandy) Jordan, and James (Jean) Jordan and several nieces and nephews, special friend Bob (Sherrie) Douglas and many other life-long friends.

Joe retired as warehouse supervisor from Kerr Distributing Company in 2008, working with them for 34 years. Prior to his work with Kerr’s, Joe held jobs at the Athens Mental Hospital and Pepsi Bottling Company.

A lifelong hunter, he travelled to hunt wild boar, elk, and turkey, eventually earning a Grand Slam in turkey hunting. He especially enjoyed hunting with his son-in-law and grandson. He was an avid gun collector, practical to the core, and lived by the motto, “ya never throw nothing away.” A life-long Los Angeles Dodgers fan, Joe followed their seasons with enthusiasm and was a great fan of Clint Eastwood and John Wayne, watching their movies countless times, despite his family’s wishes that he find something new to watch!

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Joe’s name to the Athens County Humane Society, P.O. Box 765, Athens, OH 45701. Or, they suggest you have your favorite drink and make a toast to a life well-lived.

Funeral services will be held at Hughes Funeral Home in Athens on Tuesday, May 27th at 1:00 p.m. Friends may call on the family from 11:00 a.m. prior to service. Burial will immediately follow at Athens Memory Gardens. The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to OhioHealth Homereach Hospice Care.