He was a highly respected member of the community and a beloved teacher and coach to many.
Bill was born December 28, 1946 in Waynesburg, a son of the late Forney and Lucille Stephenson Phillips.
Bill was a graduate of Waynesburg High School and then Waynesburg College with a degree in elementary education. In high school Bill played football and baseball, and was elected to serve as captain of both teams. While in college he played on the Waynesburg College NAIA National Football Championship team in 1966.
He went on to be a Fourth Grade Science teacher in the Jefferson-Morgan Elementary School District. Known as "Coach Phillips” he loved football, track field and wrestling. He was an avid exercise buff, a weekend golfer and was often found at the JM weight room.
Bill was a member of St. Marcellus Catholic Church of St. Matthias Parish where he taught RCIA classes, Christ Life and was at every Lenten fish fry. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the former Elks Club in Waynesburg, PA.
On November 28, 1992 he married Elizabeth “Betty” Yukish, who survives.
Also surviving is a daughter Megan (Phillips) Zollars of Pearisburg, VA; three step-daughters, Kelly Mezan-Fath of Washington, DC, Nadine Mezan (Mark) of Beaver Falls, and Jodi (Rick) Bertagnolli of Rices Landing; six grandchildren, Will, Betsy, Ava, Mia, Kayla, and Eli; an aunt, Mildred “Mid” Maize of Washington; and several cousins.
Bill was greatly loved, highly respected and will be sadly missed by so many.
The family would like to offer any coach and/or athlete that has been influenced by Coach Phillips, the opportunity to participate in the procession into the church as a tribute to honor him and his legacy.
Friends will be received on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 form 2 to 8 pm, in the Behm Funeral Home, 1477 Jefferson Rd., Jefferson, PA 15344, Gregory P. Rohanna, supervisor, where a Blessing Service will be held at 11:30 am, Thursday, February 9, 2023, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Marcellus Catholic Church of St. Matthias Parish at 12:00 noon, with Fr. J. Francis Frazer, officiating. Entombment will follow in Greene County Memorial Park, Waynesburg. A Knight’s of Columbus service will be held on Wednesday evening in the funeral home (time TBD). In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorials to the Greene County Humane Society, 183 Jefferson Rd., Waynesburg, PA 15370, www.greenepet.org or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed online at www.behm-funeralhomes.com.
