Ronald J. “Buddy” Phillips passed away at home on his 81st birthday, September 23, 2017. He was born September 23,1936 in Blytheville, Ark., the son of the late Sybil MacIntosh Phillips and Lt. Col. Wendell Phillips. On September 9, 2017, Buddy and his loving wife Sally Lambertson Phillips celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary. He is survived by his son Ron Phillips (Laura) of Madison, AL; daughter Allison Dianne Thrower (Col. Jeff) of Alabaster, AL.; daughter Jean Phillips Netherland, Fayetteville; granddaughter Rachael Phillips of Kerrville, TX; grandsons: Joshua Thrower of Alabaster, AL, Brandon Netherland and Ben Netherland, both of Fayetteville, and Brad Thrower of Arab, AL. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother James (Jim) Phillips.
Buddy was a high school graduate of Columbia Military Academy, Columbia, Tennessee, and received his Journalism degree from the University of Arkansas. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Buddy served in the U.S. Army for six years. As the only 2nd Lieutenant on his base, he was promoted to First Lieutenant by General Bruce C. Clarke, Commanding General U.S. Continental Army Command, Fort Monroe, Virginia, January, 1959. Buddy also worked in the Public Relations office at Army Ordnance Missile Command, Huntsville, AL.
For 13 years, Buddy and Sally lived in Memphis where their three children were born. In December 1973, they moved to Fayetteville to establish Phillips Office Supplies which they owned for 22 years. Additionally, their business served as a leading Xerox Sales Agency for Lincoln and surrounding counties. Buddy helped organize and was the first president of Volunteer Office Products Association, a statewide organization of office supply owners, wholesalers and manufacture representatives. Buddy was a member and past president of Kiwanis Club, the Chamber of Commerce and had chaired the Planning Commission. For several years, POS was election night headquarters for WYTM-FM broadcasting local, state and national returns. He was a former realtor for John Hoagland of Alexander-Hoagland, Inc. From 1998 to 2008, Buddy was the editor and owner of “Real Estate Showcase of Lincoln County”. Buddy and Sally helped establish the Wesley Sunday School Class at their church, Fayetteville First United Methodist.
Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, September 26, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Higgins Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at Higgins Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 27, at 2 p.m. with Rev. Whitney Mitchell and Rev. Ann Hatcher officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to John Waples, M.D., Pat Brown and the team of treatment nurses at Clearview Cancer Institute, Huntsville, AL, as well as William R. Jones, M.D., Lincoln Health System Home Health and Hospice, and Chaplain Harold Dawkins.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 200 N. Elk Ave., Fayetteville, TN 37334, or to a charity of your choice.
20 Comments To "Ronald “Buddy” Phillips"
#1 Comment By Wanda Shelton On September 24, 2017 @ 9:25 pm
So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with your family.
Love,
#2 Comment By Kay Sisco On September 24, 2017 @ 9:41 pm
Sally-
I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
#3 Comment By Patsy Crawford On September 24, 2017 @ 11:26 pm
I will so miss the ol’ razorback! Buddy was fun-loving, smart, loyal, good bridge partner, but mostly Buddy was a friend. He leaves a huge void.
#4 Comment By Gary and Brenda Badenhop On September 24, 2017 @ 11:35 pm
We send our sympathy to Sally and to Buddy’s family. He was a great man!
#5 Comment By Dianne (Horton) Parker On September 25, 2017 @ 1:11 am
Sally
I am so sorry for your family’s loss. Buddy was a very smart person. Prayers for you and your family.
Dianne (Horton) Parker
#6 Comment By Kendall and Broden England On September 25, 2017 @ 1:11 am
Mrs. N.,
We are sorry to hear about your dad. We love you.
Love,
Kendall, Broden and Aidric England
#7 Comment By Linda Lowden On September 25, 2017 @ 1:12 am
Sally, Allie & Family,
I am so truly sorry for your huge loss. He was such a sweet man. I enjoyed meeting him when you guys visited Allie next door to me. Huge hugs & prayers to you all !!!
#8 Comment By Ronnie and Eloise Hudgins On September 25, 2017 @ 2:41 am
Sally and children, so sorry for your loss. Buddy was a kind loving man with a huge smile for everyone he met. Our prayers are with your all.
#9 Comment By Arden Smith Humphrey On September 25, 2017 @ 3:27 am
Con and I are so sorry about the passing of Buddy who was such a friend to all. Dearest Sally and children, please know that there are many who feel your pain and loss. Great memories wash over me as I close my eyes and hear that voice on the radio on election night giving the returns and the commentary for all in Lincoln County to hear. He was a voice of authority because he definitely knew his politics. I just know that Buddy is going to make things fun in heaven. Such a great man! Love to all the family from Con and me.
#10 Comment By Wanda Jennings Preston On September 25, 2017 @ 4:38 am
Sally, my heartfelt sympathy at such a sad time for you and your family. Buddy was a much loved and well respected man and will be missed.
#11 Comment By Jerry and Marti Barnes On September 25, 2017 @ 2:02 pm
Sally,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this time of loss.
#12 Comment By Jerry and Marti Barnes On September 25, 2017 @ 2:05 pm
Sally We are saddened to learn of the loss of Buddy.
You and the family are in our thoughts and prayers.
#13 Comment By Ron & Susan Arrick On September 25, 2017 @ 9:33 pm
We are so sorry for your loss.. you have our deepest sympathy.
#14 Comment By John and Sandra Curtis On September 26, 2017 @ 1:17 pm
Sally, we are sorry for your loss! You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers!
#15 Comment By Joe and Anne Luther On September 26, 2017 @ 2:08 pm
Sally,
We do not know what to say other than we will always cherish the friendship we had with you and Buddy. We send our love and prayers to you and the children.
Joe and Anne Luther
#16 Comment By Joe and Anne Luthr On September 26, 2017 @ 2:10 pm
Sally,
We do not know what to say other than we will always cherish the friendship we had with you and Buddy. We send our love and prayers to you and the children.
Joe and Anne Luther
#17 Comment By Jimmy and Diane Buchanan On September 26, 2017 @ 11:14 pm
Dear Sally and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Buddy was a vibrant, caring individual and he will be missed by all. May God lend you comfort and ease.
Jimmy and Diane Buchanan
#18 Comment By Merton A. Phillips On September 28, 2017 @ 4:48 am
Dear Sally, Ron, Allison and Jean.
I am so broken and sad to hear that my Brother Buddy is gone. I remember great times with all of us at Christmas and other Family gatherings. I am sure His Father our Dad Wendell and brothers Martin and Jimmy and my Mom his stepmother Mary Mae was glad to meet him on the other side in Heaven. Being his youngest brother makes it hard to think of him gone. He had a wonderful smile and a great heart for others. I know you will miss him Sally You and he were great partners and parents to beautiful kids that are now adults with their own children. God bless you all. Love your Brother in law and Uncle Merton A. Phillips in Blytheville, AR.
#19 Comment By David Mills On September 28, 2017 @ 11:36 pm
Phillips Family,
I am very sorry for your loss, and I know that Mr. Buddy will be greatly missed. I pray that God’s comfort be with you all.
#20 Comment By Sandra Pack Priestley On October 21, 2017 @ 1:35 am
Sally….Sad to hear of your husband’s death….I know you have many wonderful memories of his life with you & family.