Dr. William Robert Phillips “Bob” || Obituary

Dr. Bob Phillips went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.  He was at home with his family in Fairview when he passed away.

He was born on March 3, 1937, the only child of W.T. (Bill) and Louise Phillips of Tyler, Texas.  Surviving him are his wife, Janet of 57 years, his son, Mark Phillips and wife Brooke of McKinney, and his daughter Lori Battaglia of Plano.  His grandchildren are Austin Phillips, Avery Quirk and husband Michael, Aaron Phillips, Cara Battaglia, and his sister-in-law, Marilyn Fouts and husband Bob from Garland, Texas.

Dr. Phillips attended Tyler public schools and graduated from Tyler High School in 1955.  He graduated from Baylor University in 1959 and was accepted to UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas where he completed his medical school training.  He did a year of internship at San Francisco General Hospital before returning to Dallas to complete a four-year residency in general surgery at Parkland Hospital.

While at Parkland, he met and married his best friend and the “love of his life”, Janet Moore, an emergency room nurse from Emporia, Kansas. They married in 1966 and in 1968, they welcomed their son, Mark.  After completing his surgery residency in 1968, the family moved to Paris where their daughter, Lori, was born in 1970.

He practiced general surgery until 1999 and was well known for his caring bedside manner. The final three years of his career were presiding as Director of a newly formed wound care center at Paris Regional Medical Center before his retirement in 2002.

The family remained in Paris for 46 years where they developed many wonderful friendships and were actively involved in the community.  In 2014, Bob and Janet moved to Fairview, Texas, to be closer to family and their circle of friends grew even larger.  He loved the Celebration Sunday School Class at Creekwood UMC and his many golf friendships at Heritage Ranch.

When not working, Bob enjoyed bird hunting with his son, Mark, and his dear friend, Gerald Whitesides. He also enjoyed golf and scored four holes-in-one in his lifetime. He was devoted to his church activities at First Baptist Church Paris as well as community involvement with Lamar County Young Life, and Paris Kiwanis.

He had a passion for the Texas Rangers and, along with his buddies from Tyler High School baseball, Rusty and David, attended spring training each year in Arizona.  Their most recent trip was in 2023 as they unknowingly watched their beloved team prepare to win their first World Series. He also had a passion for his Baylor Bears where three generations of his family attended college.

Bob had a deep faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ, and clearly reflected Him in how he lived his life and loved others.

Celebration of life services will be held on Friday, Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. at Creekwood United Methodist Church – Allen with Rev. David Lessner and Rev. Wendy McConney officiating, with a reception to follow; and Saturday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church – Paris with Rev. Brad Aldridge and Dr. Tommy Turner officiating. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, it was Bob’s wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to Lamar County Young Life, Creekwood United Methodist Church and Cal Farley Boys Ranch.