Walter L. Phillips Jr. 1937-2025

Born May 18, 1937, Walt was raised near Princeton, New Jersey, in a small community called Penns Neck. The years of his youth were special to him. He would tell (and retell) stories about these times to his children and grandchildren. Walt was the only son of Walter and Josephine Clark Phillips and grew up in a close-knit family with his late sister, Joan Eileen Adams of Millville, Pa.

Walt spent the last years of his life as a community member in Boardman, where he enjoyed spending time with his wife, her extended family and various friends.

Prior to moving to Ohio, he lived in Bucks County, Pa., and Mercer County, New Jersey. Walt also made regular trips to his farm in Millville, Pa., which provided endless opportunities for both relaxation and family gatherings. The farm and nearby state parks, World’s End and Rickett’s Glen, were among his favorite places.

He attended Miami University in Ohio, where he studied architecture. Walt was most fond of life’s simple pleasures: riding tractors, taking a walk in the woods, swimming in a fresh lake and watching football on TV. Walt loved his family and relished his role as “Grandpa Phillips.”

His unabashed friendliness and sense of humor were among his most admirable qualities — the latter possibly enhanced by his love of comic strips.

Walt is survived by his loving wife, Monica Houser Phillips; and seven children, Scott Phillips, and his wife, Susan (Yardley, Pa.), Mark Phillips, and his wife, Vicki (Asbury, New Jersey), Kimberly Sheaffer and her husband, Danial (Yardley, Pa.), Todd Phillips (Ewing, New Jersey), Suzanne Yocum, and her husband, Tim (Allentown, Pa.), Matthew Phillips (Jacksonville, Florida) and Carolynn Thanos (Jacksonville, Florida). He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Timothy Sheaffer, Molly Phillips, Sean Phillips, Kyler Phillips, Ryan Sheaffer, Katherine Sheaffer, Rachel Phillips, Kerry Phillips, Luke Yocum, Logan Phillips, Mae Yocum, Jake Yocum and Panos Thanos; and one great-grandchild, Brady Phillips; as well as brothers-in-law, Judge Joseph, and his wife, Nancy (Boardman), Dr. William Houser, and his wife, Jennifer (Bellefontaine); and sister-in-law, Mary Beth Houser, and her husband, Bob McCraken (Hilton Head, South Carolina).

Walt was spiritually guided by his love of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, which begins: “For everything there is a season … .” He took comfort in these words as they provided him a sense of peace in his life journey.

A celebration of life will be held 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Canfield Chapel, 3701 Starr’s Centre Drive, Canfield, OH 44406.

(special notice)