Alderson-Roy Houston Phillips, 91, passed away Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, at his home in Alderson, following a short illness.
Born Sept. 14, 1924, in Alderson, he was the son of the late James Mason and Sallie Burton Kelly Phillips.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Magdeline Jones Phillips; sister, Glenna Highlander; and three brothers, Murrell Phillips, Carl Phillips, and Garland Phillips.
Mr. Phillips was a retired bottler, having retired from PepsiCo, Inc., retiring on June 1, 1990 after 30 plus years of service at Pepsi-Cola Bottling in Alderson. Prior to his employment with Pepsi-Cola Bottling, he worked at Meadow River Lumber Company in Rainelle and Acme Limestone Company at Snowflake. Mr. Phillips attended Alderson schools and was a World War II Veteran, having served as Corporal in the United States Army. He served in the 94th Infantry Division; which was part of General Patton’s third army. He was a faithful member of Grace Bible Church at Asbury and a member of Tri County Memorial VFW Post 6723, Alderson. He loved to mow grass and enjoyed mowing grass for others. Mr. Phillips loved to spend time with his family, his church family, and his friends at the Alderson Senior Center, and above all, was a devoted father and grandfather, and friend to many.
Survivors include: three daughters, Carolyn Eggleston and companion, Leonard Bowyer of Aldersom, Phyllis Hunter and husband Allen Hunter of Gap Mills and Barbara Merritt of Alderson and companion Scott Stephens of Beckley; Mr. Phillips’s companion, Jewel J. Smith of Alderson; brother, Harlan Phillips of Worthington, KY; five grandchildren, Teresa Eggleston and fiance Michael Brooks, Angela McClung and husband Chris McClung, Megan Hanna and husband Bryan Hanna, Jordan Hunter and Laura Hunter; seven great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins; and a host of friends.
Funeral services will be Friday, Dec. 11, at 11 a.m. at Grace Bible Church, Asbury, with Pastor Don Smith officiating. Burial will follow at the Alderson Cemetery, Alderson, where military funeral honors will be conducted by the West Virginia Army National Guard Honor Guard.
Visitation was Thursday evening, Dec. 10, at the Lobban Funeral Home, Alderson, and one hour prior to services at Grace Bible Church on Friday.
The men of Grace Bible Church, Asbury, will serve as pallbearers.
Mr. Phillips’s family would like to extend a special thank you to his caregivers, Susie Godby, Mary Ann Andrews, Letha Bowyer, Faye Brown, Brenda Thomas, and Bea Phillips.