Cecil Ray Phillips

Wednesday, January 3, 2007

Feb. 24, 1925-Jan. 2, 2007

Cecil Ray Phillips, 81, Greencastle, died Tuesday morning at Mill Pond Health Campus.

Born at Catlin in Parke County, he was the son of Harold and Arrieta Phillips.

He was raised by Cecil and Phoebe Brown.

A graduate of Greencas-tle High School, he joined the Merchant Marines and served in the South Pacific during World War II.

He married Marjorie A. Walbring on March 6, 1946. She died March 21, 2006.

Surviving are two sons, Clinton R. Phillips and wife Ruth, Newnan, Ga., and W. Kris Phillips and wife Chere, Cloverdale; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, both parents, two brothers and a sister.

He was an active member of First Christian Church, Greencastle. He was also a life member of Masonic Lodge and appendent bodies. He was a past master of Temple Lodge 47, past high priest of Greencastle Chapter 22 RAM, past illustrious master of Greencastle Council 107 Cryptic Mason, and past commander of Greencastle Commandery 11, sovereign master of Edward C. Etchison Council 362, director general Yeoman of York, Terre Haute Preceptory 6, governor Banks of the Wabash College of York Rite 72, and eminent prior of Robert O. Woods Priory 62. He was awarded the Knight of York Cross of Honor and the Order of the Purple Cross.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home, Greencastle, with burial in Forest Hill Cemetery.

Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Thursday with Masonic services at 7:30 p.m.