Philip Thomas Wall

Phil grew up in the small town of Yale, OK, moved to the big city of Dallas and graduated at 6’5” and 128 pounds from North Dallas High School in 1948. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University class of 1952, with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. Whoop! He was a member of the TAMU Corps of Cadets.

During Thanksgiving break in his Junior year at A&M, Phil stopped by his best friend Henry Shiels’s home in Dallas. Henry, who was attending SMU, was being tutored in Spanish by Miss Johnnie Hazlewood. At this chance meeting, Phil knew then and there that life could have true meaning. Phil and Johnnie married in 1953 and their union lasted 44 years until her death in 1997.

After college graduation, Phil served active duty in Korea and was appointed First Lieutenant in the US Air Force. Upon completing his service commitment, he started work at Sun Oil Company in 1955. He had a successful 35-year career at Sun, starting as a junior engineer and rising to the level of senior executive. He was a licensed Professional Engineer and a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Moving was no obstacle if a promotion was the reward. During his oil and gas career, Phil and his family relocated to Silver, TX, Sweetwater, TX, Newhall, CA, Lisbon, Portugal, Monroe, LA, Tulsa, OK and then back to Dallas, TX.

Phil was an avid learner. His post-graduate studies included the Executive Program in Business Administration at Columbia University in 1980 and the Program for Senior Executives at MIT in 1985.

Phil’s interests were Texas A&M, flying/airplanes, investments and reading. He researched the ultimate BBQ. Snow’s in Lexington TX came in first. His go-to treats were Goldfish and See’s candies.

Phil was a patriot and a man of integrity. He lived by these rules: Always do the right thing! Never lie, cheat or steal. Avoid debt. Listen well. Give thoughtful and considerate feedback. Readily admit mistakes. A person’s actions speak louder than their words. Avoid negative people and influences. Take time to decide whom to marry. Books are your friend; read them. Let solid performances speak for you. Be willing to take calculated risks. Help the less fortunate. Avoid over-indulgences in all forms.

Phil is preceded in death by his parents Thelma Smith and Frank Wall, wife Johnnie Hazlewood, and sister Marjorie Wall Maris. Aggie, as he is known, is survived by children Lisa Wall of Dallas, Roy (and Holly) Wall of Suwanee GA, and Sharon (and Stephen) Lilley of Dallas; grandchildren Brittlan, Bryn and Brexton Wall and Sheriden and Braydon Lilley; and nephews Ross, Robert and Tom Maris.

Graveside Service will be Friday August 9, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park in Dallas. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Texas A&M Foundation-Philip Wall ‘52 at 401 George Bush Dr, College Station TX 77840; Salvation Army at 8787 N Stemmons Frwy, Ste 800, Dallas TX 75247; or your local Animal Shelter.