Phil Whitley Handley

A petroleum engineer, Mr. Handley retired in 1987 from Oryx Energy, formerly Sun Oil Company, which had hired him in 1951 upon graduating from Texas A&M.

He was born in Port Arthur on May 29, 1928, to A.C. “Frog” Handley, Sr., and Holyn Whitley Handley of Nederland. He graduated from Nederland High School and served in the occupational forces in Japan following the Allies’ victory in World War II.

In the 1960s, he served as president on the board of the Nederland Independent School District. It was during his term that the plans were set to construct the Highland Park and Helena Park Elementary Schools.

He is preceded in death by his parents and by his older brother, A.C. Handley, Jr., of Nederland. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Clara Lela Redditt Handley. They grew up down the street from each other in Nederland, and were wed in 1952.

He is also survived by his son, Allan Dwain Handley, of Richardson; his daughter and son-in-law, Dianne Marie and Dr. Rick Dusold of College Station; and four grandchildren: Elizabeth Dusold; Richard Dusold, Jr., and wife, Kelsey; Holyn Handley; and Phillip Dusold.

A memorial service will be held on Monday at 4:00 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church of Richardson. A celebration of his life will follow. He will be interred in the Field of Honor, reserved for former students of Texas A&M, in the Memorial Cemetery of College Station.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to Providence Place, formerly the Methodist Mission Home of San Antonio, Texas; http://www.provplace.org.