Roy Davis Phillips, Sr.
November 12, 1919 ~ March 9, 2005
Resided in:
Arden, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Roy Davis Phillips, Sr., 85, of 15 Chestnut Ridge Road, Arden, died Wednesday, March 9, 2005, at the Hospice Solace Center.
Mr. Phillips was born November 12, 1919, in Cullowhee, NC to the late Rufus and Burlie Long Phillips. He graduated from Western Carolina College.
He served in the Eurpoean Theatre with the US Army during WW II with the Anti-tank/Rocket Company, 133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Division in the North Africa and Italian campaigns. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
He received his masters degree in Health and Physical Education from UNC and taught school and coached at Elizabethtown before returning to Buncombe County and Candler High School.
At Candler High School Roy was a very successful teacher and coach of men’s and women’s sports. He introduced football to the school and was the first head coach.
When Enka High School was completed Roy was named Athletic Director and Head Football Coach. He was instrumental in the financing and construction of Enka High School Stadium.
In 1962 Roy left education for a very successful career with Prudential Insurance Company. He was a member of the Insurance Underwriters Association.
He retired in 1982 to enjoy golf and his family.
He was instrumental in obtaining the necessary financial support to construct the Hominy Valley Recreation Center, receiving Prudential’s Distinguished Community Award.
He was a member of a select group with a vision that is now High Vista Country Club and Estates. He was a member of Snow Hill United Methodist Church and a former member of the Candler Lions Club and the Hominy Lodge #491, A.F. & A.M.
He is survived by his wife, Sara Cathey Phillips; daughter Paula Phillips of Melrose, FL; son, Roy Phillips and his wife Maggie of Belleville, IL; grandchildren, Audrey Eagle and Michael, Matthew, and Gregory Phillips; sisters Ruby Henson of Brevard and Laura Belle Hyatt and her husband Jim of Waynesville; and one brother Jim Phillips and his wife Marilyn of Brevard. He was preceded in death by a sister Peg Ensley and a brother Dan Phillips.
A graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Snow Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Neil Haynes officiating.
His family will receive friends at the church immediately following the service.
Memorials may be made to Snow Hill United Methodist Church, 84 Snow Hill Church Road, Candler, NC 28715.
MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU
MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU
To: The Roy Phillips Family
I was just a teen age boy back in the late forties and early fifties when I first heard of Coach Phillips. I went to Biltmore High School and we played against Coach Phillp’s teams.
After growing up, I would occasionally see Coach Phillips and he never forgot who I was. He always had that famous grin and a hearty handshake, and then, the stories would begin.
He was a prince of a man and will be missed by me, and many other people who knew him.
Can’t you just see him and Coach Estes (Biltmore) yacking away.
God’s blessings on the family,
Tommy Koontz
Our sincere condolences we are sorry to hear about your loss. Due to travel we will be unable to attend the services.
Dear Jim and Marily,
We are so sorry for your loss and yet know the many years you shared with Roy must give you many fond memories.
May God Bless you through this sorrow of loss and bring you comfort and peace as time goes by.
In Warm Friendship,
Frank and Donna Patton
To Roy Phillips’ family,
We are so sorry for each of you as you are suffering the loss of Roy. We have the promise ‘Weeping may endureth for the night, but joy cometh in the morning’. (Psalm 30:5) We look foward to the Morning!
May the Lord give you peace and comfort during this time of sorrow,
Donna and Frank Patton
what a dear friend he was to me and to charlie ! Love to you Sara
Sarah, sorry to hear about Roy. He was always a very special person to us. We saw him at our Class reunion a few years ago, it was so good to see him. I guess our family goes along way back. When he first came to Candler, they came to church at Hominy and my Mother always enjoyed his Mother. Our love and sympathy to all your family. Sorry we will not be able to attend the funeral, as we have a committment out of town.
Carolyn & Jack
Sara and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Rich and Karen
Sarah We are very sorry to hear about Roy. We are in Fla. or we would be there. We have a lot of memories about sharing time on the golf course with Roy. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family May God bless.
The first time I remember meeting Coach Phillips was in the fall of 1958. I was a freshman in one of his phys ed classes at Enka. He knew that I wanted to play football but at that time was under 5 feet tall and under 100 pounds so he suggested that I might help him as an equipment manager. He found a way for me to participate. He cared about me and all the young men who played for him and we respected this kind and gracious gentleman. I will never forget his smile and the strength of his character.
MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU ……
Sara, I’m Ellen Bird’s sister. Gene and I both have very fond memories of the short time we knew Roy. He was a fine man. Our sympathy to your family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you in the death of your loved one. He was one of my beloved teachers at Candler High School. May God bless you and yours.
Thinking of you during this sad time. Love and Prayers.
To the Roy Phillips Family,
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I have so many fond childhood memories of Cousin Roy’s visits to grandpa’s house at Cane Creek, as well as those wonderful Phillips Reunions.
Gary Nathan Phillips