Charlie was the son of Charles Wiley Phillips, Sr and Lela Wade Phillips. He was born in Greensboro, NC on June 16, 1931. In 1950, Charlie graduated from Greensboro Senior High where he played football under Coach Bob Jamison. In 1954, he graduated from the University of Chapel Hill where he served as President of Sigma Chi fraternity. Upon graduation, Charlie married his high school sweetheart Barbara Cornelius Phillips. He served with the US Army in Fort Gordon and Fort Benning, respectively.
He and Barbara returned to Greensboro in 1956. Charlie went to work for Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home where he established a lasting relationship with the Lineberry family. In 1957, he began his lifelong career in the insurance business with Provident Mutual Life under the tutelage of Paul Schenck, Sr. Charlie spent the next 35 years with Northwestern Mutual Life. He loved his career and treasured the opportunity to establish lifelong relationships with his clients.
Charlie loved all sports, especially his Tar Heels. He was an avid sailor and spent many happy hours on the water out of Oriental, NC with family and friends. Charlie served his community in many ways including two terms on Greensboro City Council. He grew up at West Market Street United Methodist Church. He was an Honorary Life member and past president of the Greensboro Rotary Club in 1983-84; as well as a Paul Harris Fellow.
Charlie loved being a parent; he adored being a grandparent and great-grandparent.
He is survived by son, Charles Wiley Phillips, III (Chip), Raleigh, NC; daughter Ginny Phillips Ellis (Duke), Raleigh, NC, son, John Cornelius Phillips, Atlanta, GA, brother Wade W. Phillips, Greensboro, NC, sister Carolyn Kingdon, Kingsport, TN, brother in law, Wayne Hoard, Kingsport, TN, sister in law, Joan Sherrill (Russell), sister in law, Marian Bell (Bob), beloved grandchildren, Carrie Ellis Dahl (Andy), Charlie Ellis, Kristen Phillips, Rachel Ellis, Lucas Phillips, beloved great grandchildren, Wiley Dahl and Lillianna Dahl.
He was proceeded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara Phillips, little sister, Barbara Ann Hoard, sister in law, Betty Phillips, and brother in law, Ross Kingdon.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, August 26, 2018 at Christ United Methodist Church. The family will receive guests after the service in the Fellowship Center. Donations may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 410 N. Holden Dr, Greensboro, NC 27410 or Employees Appreciation Fund, Whittier, Friends Guilford, 925 New Garden Rd, Greensboro, NC 27410. Charlie’s family would like to especially thank the staff at Friend’s Home Guilford for their loving and compassionate support while he was a resident.
Online condolences may be made through www.haenslineberryfuneralhomes.com.
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