William (Bill) Roger Phillips Jr., 89, passed away on June 9, 2023. He was born on September 25, 1933, to William R. and Mary Jane (Navarre) Phillips in Monroe, Michigan and grew up in Jackson, Michigan. He graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1951 and Michigan State University in 1955. He married Shirley Ann McDevitt in Jackson, Michigan in 1955.

Bill was preceded in death by his infant son Tommy, parents, in-laws Gerald and Alice McDevitt, brothers-in-law Jerry McDevitt, Fr. Tom McDevitt and Stanley (Stas) Karasek, and sister in-law Kay McDevitt. He is survived by his wife Shirley of 67 years, children Bill (Lisa), Kathy (Mike Woolworth), Bob (Karen), Andy (Beth), John (Kim), Liz (Dave Hartman), 14 grandchildren – Patrick (Ana), Jennifer, Emily (Nick Swickard), Carolyn (Jackson Bogatz), Matthew, Scott, Austin Hartman, Katie, Jacob Woolworth, Kevin Woolworth (Allie), Julie (Jonathon Cheatham), Abby, Daniel Hartman, William Hartman), 7 great grandchildren (Teddy, Eva, Charlotte, Jonah, JJ, Marnie, Maggie), sisters-in-law Mary Karasek and Kathy McDevitt, brother-in-law Pat (Phyllis) McDevitt, and many nieces and nephews.

Bill had a very strong faith and love for his family. He was so proud of his children and loved spending time with them and his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bill and Shirley have been members and supported their parishes in Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas. Bill was instrumental in fundraising for The Lingap Children's Foundation at St. Laurence Catholic Church in Sugar Land, Texas to benefit children in need in the Philippines.

Bill had a successful career at Deluxe Check Printers (Deluxe Corporation) starting in sales in 1955 and becoming Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. During his career, he led an innovative team in creating and promoting new products, while also pioneering their first partnership with Warner Brothers in creating Looney Tunes check designs in 1990. After retiring in 1991, Bill and Shirley maintained residences in both Jackson and Houston.

Bill had a great fondness for golf. He started caddying as a teenager and was an avid golfer through his 70s. His fondest memories included playing father-son tournaments with his sons, enjoying the camaraderie with friends, caddying for Ben Hogan, shooting his age and making 6 holes in one. He won numerous club championships, holds the course record at Riverbend Country Club prior to its redesign,  and served as the President of the boards of North Oaks Golf Club in Minnesota and Riverbend and Sugar Creek Country Club in Houston. Of all the memberships he was fortunate to have, his favorite club was Country Club of Jackson in Jackson, Michigan. Bill was also an avid Houston professional sports fan, a Houston Oilers season ticket holder and Michigan State University athletics fan.

A service will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 7801 Bay Bridge Drive, The Woodlands, TX on Friday, June 16 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a celebration of life at Two Lakes Edge at 2000 Hughes Landing Blvd in The Woodlands. His final resting place will be in Jackson, Michigan, with services to be held later this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill Phillips' name may be made to The Lingap Children's Foundation (www.lingapcenter.org) or Oasis Hospice Care (www.oasishospicecare.com/our-foundation).