LA MOILLE - William “Bill” Phillips, 78, of LaMoille, passed away May 5, 2019 at Perry Memorial Hospital, Princeton.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 10 at Community United Methodist Church, LaMoille with Rev. David Jungnickel officiating. Burial will be at Elm Lawn Cemetery, Princeton with military rites by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 9 at the church.

Bill was born Oct. 26, 1940 in LaSalle to Michael and Anna (Christman) Phillips. He married Margo Thompson on Oct. 28, 1962 in Princeton.

Survivors include his wife of LaMoille; two sons, Steve (Rae Lynn) Phillips of Syracuse, Kan. and Doug (Jennifer) Phillips of Princeton; four grandchildren, Jake, Megan, Austin and Tyson; his mother, Anna Phillips of Princeton; one sister, Diane (Morry) Schlegel of LaMoille; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and a nephew, Jeff Thompson.

Bill was a 1958 graduate of LaMoille High School and attended Illinois Valley Community College. He worked in the engineering and planning department at Caterpillar in Aurora for more than 35 years before he retired. In addition to working at Caterpillar, he was a farmer for many years. His greatest joy in life was watching his children and grandchildren play sports. He tried to make every sporting event possible. Life’s other enjoyments were playing golf and spending time with his friends, whether for coffee or watching Jeopardy at the V.F.W. He enjoyed being a member of the American Legion, AMVETS, and the Moose Lodge. He was an involved member of the V.F.W. and served as the 2011-2012 Illinois State Commander.

Bill was on active duty with the U.S. Army and was with 79^th Transportation Company, 229 Air Mobile 1^st Calvary, and 498 Medevac Company. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Aircraft Crewman Badge.

Memorials may be directed to Mendota V.F.W. Post 4079 or Illinois Cancer Care.