Paul Phillips Jr., 76, of Peoria passed away at 12:02 p.m. on January 18th, 2019 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center. Paul was born in Hamburg, Illinois on July 25th, 1942 to Paul S. and Helena G (Crowder) Phillips. He attended school in Alton, IL and then went on to receive his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Illinois State University. He began his teaching career in District 150 at Trewyn Jr. High, where he also went on to serve as Dean of Boys. He was then Principal at Garfield school and then first Principal of Roosevelt Magnet School. Following retirement, he worked at Hult Health Center and as a real estate agent with Traders Realty.
He married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Phillips, on May 2nd, 1964 in Alton, IL. She survives. Also surviving are one brother Stan Phillips of Godfrey, IL; two children Jan (Brad) Burmood of Morton, IL, and Jeff (Kathie) Phillips of Norwalk, IA; and eight grandchildren Liz Siegler, Terra, Christian and Karl Burmood, Lauren, Josh, Nathan and Andrew Phillips.
Paul was an active member of First Baptist Church in Peoria where he served on numerous Boards, was a member of both the hand bell and chancel choirs, taught Sunday school, was a Junior High Youth Leader and affectionately became known as “Chef Paul.”
A visitation will be held at First Baptist Church in Peoria from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, January 25th, 2019 and from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 26th, 2019. A Celebration of Life conducted by Reverend Dr. Rob Collins will follow at 11:00 a.m. with private burial at a later time.
Memorial can be made to First Baptist Church, 411 W. Lake Ave, Peoria, IL 61614 or Furry Friends Refuge, 1211 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50265.
