ROCKINGHAM — A man’s man and a mason’s mason.
That’s how fellow masons from around the region described the late Bunn Tate “B.T” Phillips during a Wall of Honor ceremony Saturday at Rockingham Masonic Lodge No. 495.
David Puckett, district deputy grand master, said Phillips was “somebody we could all look up to.”
A native of Siler City, Phillips was 19 years old when he landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France during World War II, and was credited for participation in five campaigns — including the Battle of the Bulge — in the European theater. Phillips was wounded twice and later awarded the Combat Infantry Badge.
“That tells you his fortitude, right off the get-go, before he even entered into the masonic world, of what type of man he was, starting at a very young age,” said John Parsons.
Phillips was heavily involved with the masons for more than 65 years after returning to the states, being raised to master mason in 1952 and serving as grand master of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina in 1990.
He was elevated to the honorary 33rd degree in the Scottish Rite Valley of Charlotte and was a member of the Oasis Shrine and Eastern Star, as well as an honorary member of multiple lodges across the region.
Phillips died on Oct. 14, 2020 at the age of 96. Click here to read his obituary.
Following the unveiling of a shadowbox featuring various items from Phillips’ masonic career, several brother masons shared their memories, including Doug Smith and state Sen. Tom McInnis.
On top of everything else, McInnis said Phillips was “an American patriot.”
“He shed his blood for this country — not once, but twice,” McInnis said. “He was such an inspiration to me, and to all of us.”
Phillips could have gone anywhere else in the state or country, McInnis continued, “but he chose to be here because he loved this community.”
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