LELAND — Mr. Paul Wesley Phillips, 93, passed away Tuesday evening, Jan. 19, 2021 at his Leland home of 52 years with his loving family surrounding his bedside.
Paul was born in Rockingham on Aug. 14, 1927, the son of the late Sipp Wesley and Rosabelle Johnson Phillips. Also preceding him in death, a brother, Carl Phillips; and a sister, Dorothy P. Williams.
He retired in 1966 after 21 years in the United States Navy and was one of the last remaining few that were stationed on board the USS Battleship North Carolina. After retirement he worked civil service at Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal for 20 years, followed by 20 years of service at the Cameron Art Museum.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 62 years, Evonne Richardson Phillips; sons, Jimmy Phillips (Leslie) and David Phillips (Debbie) of Wilmington; daughter, Betsy Robbe; eight grandchildren, Shawn Phillips (Jessica), Cory Mazzola (Mary), Joshua Phillips, Michael Phillips (Kenzie) and Brooklyn Phillips; and three great-grandchildren, Abel, Jeremiah and Ellington Phillips; with three brothers, Harold Phillips (Sylvia), Richard Phillips (Minnie Ellen) and Jim Phillips (Lovell); As well as many nieces and nephews.
A visitation was held at Cameron Art Museum on Friday Jan. 22, 2021.
A graveside funeral service will be conducted 3 p.m. Saturday at Greenlawn Memorial Park. Full military honors will be given by the United States Navy. The service will be live-streamed on Wilmington Funeral & Cremations Facebook page starting at 2:55 p.m.
The family suggests memorials be directed to The N.C. Battleship Memorial, The Cameron Arts Museum or Veterans Of Foreign Wars.
Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington NC 28403. 910.791.9099
