Willie Arthur Phillips, a proud veteran of the United States Army, exchanged his earthly home for a new one in glory on January 11, 2024, at the VA Hospital in Nashville, TN. 

The son of the late Bill Phillips and Eleanor Virginia Bell-Christian was born on December 3, 1955 in Nassawadox, Virginia. Willie received his education in the Northampton Public School system. After graduating, he went on to join the United States Army where he served in both active duty and the Reserves. He was stationed in several different states throughout his military career. 

Willie also known as “Art” was a fun and loving man.  His smile and laugh was truly infectious. You just couldn’t help to laugh and smile with him. He had many passions throughout his life.  When he was younger he played the drums in a band called The Brother’s Unlimited, alongside his brother Kevin Phillips who played the saxophone. He loved auto mechanics, the outdoors, landscaping and lawn care. His favorite part was driving the lawn tractors. When he was a lawn keeper for a golf course, he developed a passion of golfing so much that he set up a mini golf pad in his house and hit the golf balls in a little plastic cup.  He also loved boxing and cooking. The one thing that you could count on, is that whatever he did, he would put his heart and soul into it. The other thing you could count on is that if he wore a cap or a hat, the edges would be turned up and he would have a toothpick tucked in the corner of his mouth.

Willie was preceded in death by his father (Bill Phillips), mother (Virginia Bell-Christian) and step-father (Ruffis Christian). He leaves to cherish many loving memories: his spouse: (Zelda Phillips), Greensboro NC; four children: Willie J. Phillips, Hillsboro NC, Deanne Bowser (Leonard), Portsmouth VA, Toni D. Phillips, Greensboro NC, Patricia L. Phillips, Maple Heights OH; 13 beautiful grandchildren and 1 beautiful great grandchild; 3 brothers: Kevin Phillips (Paulette), Cheriton VA, Kenneth Phillips (Shirley), Cape Charles VA, Gregory A. Christian, Painter VA; Uncles and Aunts: Charles Bell (Annette), Eastville VA, Mary Peoples (Richard), Eastville VA, Delcia Staten (Paul), Chesapeake VA; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, the faculty and staff at Greenwood Complex in Nashville TN, and a special friend: Wanda Garnett.