William Phillips

William Ira “Bill” Phillips, 88, a resident of the Easton Home, Easton, Pa, passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side on her birthday, September 24, 2021 in St. Luke’s Hospital- Easton Campus, Easton, Pa. He was born on January 24, 1933 in Easton, Pa a son of the late Charles D. and Etta A. (Pritchard) Phillips. He was married to his soul mate Eva (Policelli) Phillips for almost 68 years before her passing in May of 2020 from complications of the Coronavirus.

Bill, a 1950 graduate of Bangor High School, joined the United States Air Force in 1951 serving his country honorably as a member of the Strategic Air Command, flying combat missions as a Radio Operations Specialist and Replacement Gunner on B29 aircraft during the Korean War. He also had the distinction of serving as an Intelligence Operations Specialist under President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

On June 14, 2021, Bill was presented the Ambassador for Peace Medal at a ceremony on the lawn of the Easton Home for his service in the Korean War. Previously he was awarded The Good Conduct Medal as well as The National Defense Service Medal.

After his service in the Air Force, Bill received stenographic training at Churchman’s Business College, Easton, Pa., working for the Lehigh-New England Railroad for several years. Before his retirement with his wife Eva to Largo, Fl in 1992, he was employed for 31 years as a general foreman for Laborers’ Union 472 of Newark, NJ. Major projects he supervised were Merrill Creek Dam and Yard Creek Reservoir.

A resident of Roseto, Pa for 40 years, Bill served as a volunteer firefighter for Columbia Fire Company No.1 for 30 of those years. He also served as an assistant engineer, treasurer, recording secretary and auditor. He was the first secretary to serve the Roseto Relief Association, serving for 12 years.

September 8, 2021 marked 56 years as a Freemason serving as past Worshipful Master, secretary and treasurer of Bangor Lodge 565 F&M. In 2015 he was awarded a 50 year pin at a ceremony in Clearwater, Fl.

Bill was a member of Christ Presbyterian Church of the Slate Belt. He was an ordained elder and deacon of the former Bangor-Roseto Presbyterian Parish and Roseto Presbyterian Church serving as a Sunday school teacher, treasurer and lay minister. He and his wife Eva were members of the church’s Anchor Club serving as Skippers, First Mates, secretaries and chaplain. He also served as the secretary-treasurer of the Presbyterian Cemetery board for many years.

While a 25 year resident of Largo, Fl, Bill served as Vice President of the East Bay Oaks Association serving as chaplain and President of the shuffleboard Friendly League team. He was an avid shuffler, golfer, poker and cribbage player and gardener.

He loved his Lord and his family. He was know to his family and friends as a happy-go-lucky fun loving man.

Bill was a devoted father to his daughter Angela (Phillips) Herrlinger of Nazareth, Pa and loving “Pop” to his grandson William “Will” Herrlinger of Fountain Hill, Pa.

In addition to his daughter and grandson, surviving are a sister-in-law Marie (Policelli) Zito; nephews Alphonso Zito III and his wife Lucille, William James and wife Kathryn; nieces Concetta (Zito) Rinker and Susan (James) Williams as well as many extended family members.

In addition to his parents and wife, Bill was preceded in death by a brother-in-law Alphonso Zito Jr, sister-in-law Anna James and his nephew and Godson Robert “Bobby” James.

Funeral services are pending. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Columbia Fire Company No. 1 of Roseto, Pa.