A man whose smile touched his eyes, Paul A. Phillips flew into the sunset on May 20, 2017. He wished his family and friends a fond farewell. Paul was born in Royal Oak Township, Michigan on June 11, 1932. His parents Paul Phillips and Marion Swan Phillips, immigrated from Macedonia and Scotland respectively. Paul grew up in Birmingham, Michigan and graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Business Administration. He joined the Air Force and flew combat missions during two tours in Vietnam. After retirement Paul settled in Phoenix where he sold and managed property with Realty Executives. He also helped to establish St. Peter’s Episcopal Church where he served as Jr. Warden and later Sr. Warden. He is survived by his daughters, Kristin Phillips and Heather Sexton (Martin), 2 grandchildren, Jordan Sexton (Jeff) Ziegler and Lt. Kieran Sexton, and former wife Peggy Phillips Kimball, several godchildren and many close friends. Paul Phillips loved his family and friends, sharing stories over a glass of wine and helping those in need. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Visitation will be from 9:30 – 11:00 A.M. with a Funeral Service at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix.
Tom Tilghman
Flew with Paul “back in the day” – a role model, leader, and mighty fine fighter pilot. We reacquainted at flying reunions and he remained the gentleman and nice guy of prior years. Happy landings Paul.
Jimmy D Kempton
I will greatly miss Paul; both as a fighter pilot comrade in arms and as a personal friend. We flew together, played golf together and from time to time, partied together. With Paul it was always the journey, never the destination – but now he has journied to a place where each of us still living must only imagine. A truely “High Flight” indeed ! Jim kempton
Ernest J. C'DeBaca
Deeply sorry to hear the news of Paul’s passing. I’ve only known him for the past seven or so years as a friend of my sister and brother-in-law, but Paul and I started catching day games or Spring Training games when we could over the years. He introduced me to Fall Ball here in Arizona and we always had a blast catching a game or grabbing a meal when others were in town. He was one of the good guys and will be missed. I hope he’s catching a game from way better seats now. Cheers my friend.
Jon Bartine
Paul was my Instructor Pilot at Luke AFB in 1967. Always the instructor to be listened to with words of fly wisdom. I credit Paul with saving my life while I was in Vietnam fly the F-100 with his training statement of “Here is what you do if you get to steep, too fast and too low”. If it weren’t for those words of wisdom, I would be splattered all over Southern Laos. He was on my list of people to find and tell him personally, but I now have to do it this way. Thank you Paul may god rest your soul.
Ron and Peggy Rhoades
Great man,great instructor pilot,great fighter pilot. I had the pleasure of working with him at LAFB, He was always working overtime to train real fighter pilots with great regard for their safety and professionalism. We lunched often at the roach coach with a “bola-soup”. We are thankful that we had a nice dinner with Paul and Peggy last month after a long period of noncomunicating.
Peggy and family, sorry that we missed the service for Paul, but we are still realing from Peggy Rs heart problem.