Willie B. "Bill" Phillips

Willie B. ""Bill"" Phillips, quietly passed away on January 21, 2015, at Memorial Hospital following a short illness.
Bill was born in Moselle, MS to parents, Ollie T. and Amanda M. Praytor Phillips on April 18, 1925. He lived in Moselle, Taylorsville, and McComb, MS and moved with the family to Gulfport in 1943. He enlisted in the Navy Seabees during World War II and was stationed in the South Pacific. Following discharge from the Navy Seabees, Bill received a letter of commendation from the Secretary of the Navy, James Forrestal, for his service.
Bill grew up on the farm doing such farm chores as picking cotton and caring for the family cow. When the family moved from Taylorsville to McComb, MS, ""Old Mulie"" the cow was loaded onto the back of the moving truck-""down the highway we came!"" ""Shep"", the collie dog, also was aboard!
Bill attended schools in Taylorsville, McComb, and Jeff Davis College on the Gulf Coast. He began studying piano while still a child, and was pianist at First Assembly of God Church in Gulfport. During the early 70's, he was pianist for a young singing group known as ""The Page Family"" singing gospel music. Bill was truly a gentle soul.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Robert Lynn Phillips.
Bill is survived by his sisters, Kathleen McCann and Colleen Witt and numerous nephews and nieces.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015, at 2pm at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road in Gulfport, where friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Reverend Norwood Seymour, Pastor of First Assembly of God Church in Gulfport, will be officiating. Burial will follow at Floral Hills Cemetery in Gulfport.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Tributes may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com