William 'Bill' Austin Phillips, 73
William “Bill” Austin Phillips, 73, passed away Aug. 18, 2013, from extended health issues. Bill was born in Hammond, Ind., to Harold and Iva (Craig) Phillips on May 7, 1940.
He graduated from John Marshall High School in Los Angeles in 1955. After graduating from high school he married Janet Rae Taylor, his high school sweetheart on March 20, 1964. He went to work for Pepsi-Cola and received the top salesman of the year award. Bill and Jan then moved to Strawberry, Calif., where he was employed by Tri-dam Projects and was a powerhouse operator of three major dams for seven years. He served seven years as a volunteer fireman there.
They then moved to Bridgeport, Calif., where he and Jan purchased and operated a restaurant and were self-employed for another seven years. He was involved in the development of the Volunteer Fire Department there and was elected and served for seven years as the Fire Chief. He also was a little league baseball coach and helped form the league there. His team won the Sierra-Nevada Championship in 1974. He was also a member of the Bridgeport Lions Club. Bill was a member of the Bridgeport Clampers Organization that placed historical landmark information along the highways there.
After taking the family on vacation to Idaho in 1976, the family fell in love with and purchased their present home. Bill’s many adventures included driving a logging truck for Donohoe Logging, ranching, delivery truck route and owing the Valley Mart store until 2013. His hobbies were fishing, hunting, farming and mowing the lawn before 7 o’clock every Saturday to make sure everyone was awake. Bill was always an adventurous hard working guy who always loved family first.
Bill is survived by his wife, Jan at the family home. He is also survived by his son, Sean and Joan Phillips of Twin Bridges, Mont., and Audrey Andersen of Medimont. He has six beautiful grandchildren, Paige and Clancy Phillips and Austin, and Tanner, Hannah and Mason Andersen. Bill is also survived by his sisters, Wanda and John Davidson, Margie and Fred Forsey, and Anita Phillips; and brothers, Gerald and Virginia Phillips, and Harold “Butch” and Laurie Phillips; and brother-in-law Bill and Chris Taylor of Medimont. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister Margaret; brothers, Bob, Donnie and Jessie; and son-in-law Erik Andersen of Medimont.
Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, at the Medicine Mountain Grange Hall with Pastor Merle Beare officiating. A potluck dinner will follow services. Condolences and remembrances can be left on Bill’s guest book at www.hodgefuneralhome.com. Memorial’s may be sent to Camp Mak-a-dream (Children’s Oncology Camp), P.O. Box 1450, Missoula, MT 59806.