LTC (Ret) James Wiley Phillips

September 27, 1931 – March 8, 2016

Wiley Phillips, 84; died on March 8, 2016 surrounded by family and friends at the Colorado State Veteran’s Community Living Center in Rifle, CO. Born on September 27, 1931 in Dallas, TX; his parents were Richard Hoyt & Grace (Wiley) Phillips.

Wiley graduated from Sunset High School in Dallas, TX and Texas A&M University in College Station, TX with a BA degree in Business Economics. After graduation he married Martha Jean (Wallace) of Dallas, TX on July 19, 1952 and they shared 58 years of marriage until she passed in 2010.

He was a Commissioned Army Officer rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel with 20 years of service in the US Army. He served his Country with (2) tours in Vietnam and (1) in Korea, and various military assignments to include: Fort Benning, GA, Fort Ord, CA, Schofield Barracks, HI, Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, GA, the Army Language School in Presidio Monterey, CA, the Army Command & General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, KA and as an Infantry Advisor to the Army of El Salvador as a (3) year assignment in Central America. Upon retirement from the Armed Forces, he worked for Atlantic—Richfield Oil & Gas in Dallas, TX for many years.

He was a proud member, and former class agent of The Class of ’52 Texas Aggies. A former member of Kiestwood/Windsor Park Baptist in DeSoto, TX and Park Cities Baptist, Floyd Faithful in Dallas, TX.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard, and loving wife Martha. He is survived by daughters; Jean-Marie (Doug) Button; Steamboat Springs, CO, Linda (Roland) McGinnis of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren; Kate (Grayson) Lewis & Wiley Button of Rifle, CO; Bryan (Morgan) Bjerke of Allen, TX; Christopher Bjerke of Lahaina, HI; Josh (Allison)McGinnis of Corryton, TN; great-grandchildren Kaylee, Aaron, Noah and Parker; In-laws David (Bobbie) Wallace, Charlene Wallace, and Shirley Wallace of Dallas, TX as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be from 6-8 pm Monday March 14, 2016 at Sparkman-Hillcrest Funeral Home 7405 W. Northwest Hwy Dallas, TX 75225 with internment at the Dallas Ft. Worth National Cemetery at 11am on Tuesday March 15, 2016 with full military honors. In lieu of flowers family request donations to a Veteran’s organization of your choice.