Wayne Phillips

Phillips, Wayne passed peacefully to the other shore in the home had built with his wife

of more than 50 years, the late Billie Frank Philips (Hurt.) Known far and wide as someone

who was larger than life, Wayne lived his life fully, telling stories, partying, and of course

dancing right up to his final days. After working on the farm and running track at Denton

High School he served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Wayne loved to share

stories of his adventures during the war and tales about San Diego or Arrowhead Springs

were part of his legendary repertoire. Returning from the war, Wayne enrolled at Oklahoma

A&M where he majored in Agricultural Mechanics. His years at Oklahoma A&M were the

beginning of his lifelong dedication to the educational profession. After graduation he

moved to Seaogville where he had been hired to teach Agriculture. Wayne spent the

next thirty-six years molding, shaping and influencing the lives of thousands of young men

and women. Wayne Phillips became a legend at Seagoville High School and the Dallas

Independent School District. Eventually his son Joel and daughter Gayleigh joined the

Agriculture Programs at Seagoville High School and continued the tradition established

by their Dad.Nothing Wayne did was ever ordinary. He met the love of his life Billie

Frank during a Texas thunderstorm. The young couple both sought shelter in the same

shed. Of course Billie had her horse with her. When the television show The Bride and

Groom head this romantic story, they invited the young couple to New York City for their

nuptials. Wayne and Billie Frank were married on live T.V. on June 24, 1953. Wayne

and Billie Frank made their home in Seagoville and became integral parts of the community.

He was known by everyone as Daddy Wayne. Whenever he entered a room, restaurant,

or shop someone would call out “Hey there Daddy Wayne!” In his free time Daddy Wayne

spent his time training his quarter horses and teaching the young folk how to ride a good horse.

He was often in the saddle checking the family cattle or practicing for the Quarter Horse Shows

he and Billie Frank attended across the country. His special pride and love was for his family.

He leaves behind a sister Elaine Taylor and his children, Gayleigh Bingham and her husband

Richard, Sarah Dawn Holston and her husband Bob, his son Joel Phillips, and seven grandchildren.

He was proud of his children and grandchildren and the love and closeness they shared was a bond

that lasted up to the day he died. Nothing gave Wayne more pleasure than spending time watching

the grandkids in their varied activities. Wayne lived a full and happy life. He lived on his

own terms, and when the time came, he died on his own terms. He was an exemplar of the

life well lived. At his death he was found with a smile on his face. In addition to his wife and

parents, Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Elsie Short, Maurine, and

Jo Phillips, and his brother James Phillips. Wayne will be sorely missed by all his family, his many

loving relatives, and the countless friends he made wherever he went.

Donations welcome to The Wayne Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund at the

American National Bank – Care of Deb Collett.

Please leave condolences for the family at www.Roselawn-Funerals.com.