William "Bill" V. Phillips

William V. “Bill” Phillips, age 83 passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, January 25, 2024 at Homeview Health & Rehabilitation Center in Franklin. He was previously a resident of Morning Pointe of Franklin and resided for many years in rural Trafalgar. He was a beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great grandfather.

Bill was born June 27, 1940 in Lewisburg, Kentucky to the late James W. and Agnes L. (Vaughn) Phillips. He was a 1958 graduate of Wood High School in Indianapolis and went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from General Motors Institute followed by a Master’s in Engineering from Purdue University. Bill retired in 1991 from Allison Transmission in Indianapolis, where he worked as an Engineer for more than 30 years. During his very successful career at Allison, he authored a technical textbook and held two patents for transmission parts. One of the computer programs that he developed enhanced worldwide communications between GM divisions.

Bill will be remembered for his intelligence as well as for his silly sense of humor. While he was the undisputed champion of family Trivial Pursuit matches, he also loved comedy/jokes and laughed at even the “dumbest” jokes. He enjoyed fishing at Kentucky Lake as well as many Indiana locations, fishing with his dad, his family and his friends. He was a master at working codeword and crossword puzzles and was an avid reader of western and mystery novels. Bill was a music lover, both as a listener of bluegrass and southern gospel music and as a singer.

Bill was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 62 years, Nora Mae (Bradshaw) Phillips, whom he married on July 29, 1961 in Indianapolis. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Don Phillips.

Bill is survived by his children, Mark (Lisa) Phillips of Morgantown; Susan Phillips of Indianapolis; sister, Mildred (husband, Bob) Egan of Clear Lake Shores, TX; grandchildren, Katie (husband, Eric) Cunningham of Mooresville, Kathy Phillips of Los Angeles, CA; great grandchildren, Lucy, and Holly; “adopted” family member, Edy Kumwenda of Franklin; as well as several nieces and nephews and their families.

The Rev. Brett Baird will conduct a funeral service on Friday, February 2nd at 1 p.m. at Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center, 179 E. Mulberry Street in Morgantown. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until service time on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood. 

Memorial contributions may be sent in honor of Bill’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.       

Condolences may be made to the Phillips family at meredith-clark.com.

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