Clyde William Phillips

Clyde William “Butch” Phillips was born on Saturday, January 13, 1945, in Berea, Kentucky. He passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the age of 81. The seventh son of a seventh son, he is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Wally and Isabelle Drew

Phillips; brothers, Thaddaeus McCoy Phillips, Charles Stanley Phillips, Carlos Frederick Phillips, John Earl Phillips, Jesse Clinton Phillips and Sherman Edward Phillips.

A talented guitar picker who taught himself by listening to Chet Atkins and Merle Travis on the radio at 6 years old, Clyde also played fiddle, banjo, and bass. By the age of 12, he was already playing at local barn dances in the Renfro Valley. He attended Livingston High School and graduated in 1962, then joined the Air Force. He was deployed in Korea, then returned to the base in Homestead, FL, where he pursued his music career. He met his wife Anita while he was on stage and she was in the audience at one of his shows. He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor’s in Political Science. He continued touring with several artists, and ultimately played with George Jones as lead guitarist for 12 years.

He retired from the road after the birth of his daughter, but continued writing and playing music. He wrote songs for Kenny Rogers, Dean Dillon, and also recorded a children’s album “Kid Country.” He later worked in security at the Bridgestone Arena. He also enjoyed working in his guitar-shaped garden, playing golf, cooking, and watching the Nashville Predators. He loved dogs and will be happy to see his beloved pups Fancy, Buffy, and Lily again.

A resident of Madison, Tennessee, he was a member of Bellshire United Methodist Church. Clyde was a Kentucky Colonel, highest title of honor bestowed by the state of Kentucky. Clyde is survived by his wife of 57 years, Anita Phillips; daughter, Kristin Lea Phillips

and son-in-law, Matt Reynolds, and many nieces and nephews. He was deeply kind and had a wonderful sense of humor. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Family and friends will gather to remember Clyde at a visitation Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 12:00 until 2:00 with a celebration of life service following at 2:00 in the chapel of Forest Lawn Funeral Home 1150 S. Dickerson Pike, Goodlettsville, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.