OBITUARY

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William Byers Philips, Jr.

May 27, 1926 – February 6, 2025

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William Byers Philips, Jr. (Bill) passed away on February 6th, 2025. He was 98 years old and a resident of Barefoot Resort, North Myrtle Beach, SC for 8 years. 

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The son of Ruth Montgomery Philips and William B. Philips, Sr., Bill was born on May 27th,1926 in Birmingham, AL, where he resided most of his life. He graduated high school from Marion Military Institute and served two years in the Army in World War II, having achieved rank of Sergeant and decorated with the Asiatic Pacific Theater campaign ribbon among others. 

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He returned to enter the University Of Alabama, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. In I950, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business and joined his father in the mortgage banking business at W.B. Philips & Co, where he worked for 36 years, having served as president for 26 years before retiring in 1986. Under his leadership in 1963, he was instrumental in transitioning the firm to a commercial loan only firm. As a result, his firm financed most of the original large malls built in Alabama. During his business career he served as president of the Mortgage Banking Association of Alabama. 

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Bill was an active life-long member of the Presbyterian Church serving as a Deacon, Elder, and as a Trustee of the Presbytery. He was a member of Ocean Drive Presbyterian church locally in NMB. 

Bill was a charter member of Vestavia Country Club. He was also an active member of the Birmingham Kiwanis Club for over 50 years, having served several times on its Board of Directors and as Assistant Secretary. He loved sports of all types, playing golf for over 80 years with multiple awards, and being an active member of the Fifty-Nine Forever Tennis Group, and also the First Ball in Tennis Group. He loved hitting a cut shot.

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Bill was a long-time philanthropist, having sponsored the arts in Birmingham and having supported many charitable and community organizations. He was a snappy dresser, usually sporting one of his signature hats with pins from his world travels. Beloved by family, friends, and business associates, he was always the life of the party. He created life-long memories with his giving special attention to the young ones while entertaining all with his extensive Lionel train set, of which he had collected since the age of 6.

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Bill was preceded in death by his wife of over 40 years, Marie Powell Philips, his son William B. Philips, III, and his daughter Marie Randolph Philips Cole. Also preceding him in death were his two sisters, Frances Philips Vanderbilt (Oliver) and Betty Philips Byrd (Richard). He is survived by his daughter Katherine Montgomery Philips, granddaughter Katherine Marie Cole, and good friend Ginger Ann Gunter, affectionately known by him as “daughter #2”, all of Myrtle Beach. Also surviving him are his beloved 8 nieces and 5 nephews, their spouses, and children, and godchild Kelley Barnes Frank.