Walker Campbell Phillips

Walker Campbell Phillips was born at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, GA. He lived in Cartersville, GA his entire life with loving family until he passed the morning of February 11, 2022. Walker was 10 years old. His faithful dogs, Ritz and Sadie, joined him in Heaven.

Walker was an astounding kid in every way. From his early years, his “Million Dollar Smile” would light up any room he walked into. He had an innate ability to draw in all those around him. God gifted Walker with a multitude of talents; his compassion for others, his magnetic personality, his ability to lead without saying a word. Walker was a peacekeeper and was physically gifted beyond most his age. But perhaps his greatest gift was his ability to love fiercely and LIVE fully every single day of his far too short life. He was recently voted by his North Cobb Christian School fourth grade classmates as the student who most embodied the Fruit of the Spirit, Joy. He found joy in even the smallest things in life.

Walker most enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his brother, Cannon, and sister, Aiden, whom he adored. He cherished his time with friends and teammates. He was at home on Lake Hartwell, fishing until the sun went down, chopping wood, building fires, or wakesurfing with his cousins. He loved to play a game of whiffle ball, usually barefoot no matter what the season, with his dad and brother and neighborhood friends that became family. Watersound Beach was his constant since birth. He ran miles along those shores in his lifetime. He loved any type of gathering of “his people,” including UGA tailgates and family holidays—and there was not one day that would pass that you would not see Walker running around throwing the football, always shoeless.

Walker was fortunate enough to travel the world. He saw sites in his ten short years that most do not get to see in a lifetime. His favorite adventure was a trip to Jamaica with family in 2020 where he played golf every single day with his older cousins, garnering the nickname “Mad Boss.” This was given to him by the brigade of caddies that followed him from hole to hole every day, often wagering on his shots, because they had never seen a nine-year-old hit the ball quite like that in his calm, cool way. He followed his beloved Georgia Bulldogs all over the country; the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Atlanta in 2018, Miami for the Orange Bowl, and most recently, to Indianapolis to watch the Georgia Bulldogs win the National Championship. Walker was a Dawg through and through. His enthusiasm and excitement were contagious at that game. It was one more priceless memory we can add to a list of so many that we have with him.

Walker is survived by his loving mother and father, Courtney and Cory Phillips, sister Aiden, and brother Cannon of Cartersville; great-grandparents, Jim and Barbara Barnes of Waleska and Dr. Bunny Williams of Augusta; Grandparents, David and Karen Whittle of Dalton and Georgia Phillips of Hartwell; aunts and uncles, Amanda Holman of Dalton, Dave Whittle and Allison Whittle of Dalton, Georgia and Jerry Jarrard of Ball Ground, Spooner and Denise Phillips of Hartwell, Chapin and Brie Phillips of Hartwell, Michael and Laura Phillips of Hartwell; cousins, James Hooker, Justin Hooker, Cameron Holman, Madison Whittle, and Tripp Whittle, all of Dalton, Brittany Phillips Wojohn, her husband Lije and their daughter Camellia,

all of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Teddy Jarrard, Gunner Jarrard, and Colt Jarrard of Ball Ground, Spooner Phillips, Crew Phillips, Troup Phillips, Kip Phillips, Bryce Phillips, Tate Phillips, Coley Phillips, Griffin Phillips, Dakota Phillips, Piper Phillips, and Posie Phillips, all of Hartwell. He also had many great aunts and uncles and second and third cousins he adored. Walker was also lucky enough to have friends we consider family. He was considered a brother by many. Walker is preceded in death by his great grandfather, Dr. G. Pat Williams of Augusta, Walter and Doris Whittle of Dalton, Henry Hungerford Spooner Phillips III (affectionately known as Pers) of Hartwell, Orvin Nesje of Dalton, and great aunt, Angie Redwine of Dalton.

A message from his mother:

Cory and I have prayed and prayed. We are utterly broken and crushed. We will never be the same. But we know that this was not a surprise to God. It was always His plan from the moment Walker was born. Walker was one of the greatest people to walk the earth, just ask anyone who knew him….coaches, teammates, friends and family. They will tell you.

He was so athletic and could do anything he tried, similar to his sister and brother. He snow skied at 2, wake boarded at 3, skied a couloir in Montana that only professional skiers should even attempt at the age of 8. He could throw a football better than Cory, played every position on the baseball diamond, had the golf swing of a young Tiger, and he played so hard at basketball that I would sometimes have to apologize to other moms for how aggressively he played even if his team was down by 20 points with only seconds to go. He even competed in gymnastics one season…and guess what?! He was good at that too. He gave 100% at EVERYTHING he did. He hated mediocrity.

More importantly, he was kind, hilarious, highly intelligent, and had a heart for the underdog. He was such a helper. He could sing, and he made the best, most beautiful milkshakes you have ever seen.

Walker had the best brother and sister, and he was the best brother to them. They were all so uniquely gifted, but together they worked. They complemented each other in the most magical way. They are devastated.

The only way we can get through this is to see God’s purpose in his death. We want Walker’s story to change people, for it has surely changed us. We pray that God will use us and this tragedy for His good. That is how we put one foot in front of the other. I would give absolutely anything to have my child here with me now. Because I cannot, we want people to live, play, and do life like #2 would do.

When you read about Walker, you will see that sports run deep. Please do not confuse the reason why. The game is not the why. Walker knew the love from his teammates, and he gave it right back. He did not care if you were the best player; he just needed to know that you cared. He saw effort and heart.

We want you to know that Walker lived, he loved us every day, and he knew he was loved every day. Walker left us with the sweetest signs and proof that he is with the Lord, including his most recent bible verse test and interpretation of John 11: 25-26 (seen in photos below). Walker continues to show us his strength by leaving this verse.

In lieu of flowers, Walker would want you to put down your phone, go outside, and play with your friends. Live like there is no tomorrow and love those around you so deeply they will never forget. Live like Walker!!

Memorial Contributions should be made in Walker's memory to the things he cared about most.

The Walker Phillips Athletic Impact Fund at https://gail.uga.edu/commit?search=76180003 or

mail to Georgia Bulldog Club, c/o Ford Williams, 1 Selig Circle, Athens, GA 30602.

The Live Like Walker Fund at North Cobb Christian School at http://ncchristian.org/walkerphillips

The Walker Phillips Cartersville Youth Football Scholarship Fund that has been set up at Coosa Valley Credit Union.

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