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Willard Gerald Phillips, 88, of Madison died in Old Saybrook. He was born April 17, 1930, in the hamlet of Hughsonville, New York.

He was the seventh of nine siblings and in 1950 he married the love of his life, Barbara Stairs. They were happily married for 67 years and raised six children together. He worked as a precision sheet metal mechanic having the opportunity to learn his trade working for such companies as Texaco Laboratories, Avco Lycoming, Perkin Elmer, and FilmLine, before retiring in 1996 from Milford Fabricating Co.

He was never able to sit still for long because he enjoyed working in his gardens or doing any type of landscaping. He had a real green thumb and was very knowledgeable about horticulture. He also had a passion for arithmetic and nutritional science.

His passion for learning never stopped, in fact although unable to finish high school, he decided to take night classes at age 67, achieving his high school equivalency diploma. When he wasn’t spending his time outside, he could be found enjoying a Western or a good comedy. He had a wonderful sense of humor that proved how he was very clever. He was always coming up with quick one liners. The word “witty” best described him.

He had a real love of music, especially country. He would also enjoy spending many hours studying his bible alongside his wife; together they shared a deep faith. He will be remembered as the rock of his family.

Special thanks to the staff of Apple Saybrook for showing kindness and compassion during his residency there.

He is survived by his brother Brent and wife Shirley Phillips of Crossville, Tennessee; sister Constance and husband Herbert Macy of Chester, Texas; daughters Rhonda and husband Ed Shelomis of Shelton and Cindy and husband John Lamb of Oviedo, Florida; sons Bruce and wife Pauline Phillips of Killingly, Glenn Phillips and Corinna Hahn of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and Gordon and wife Michelle Phillips of East Haddam; and daughter Terri and husband James Wilber of Westbrook. He is also survived by former daughter-in-law Kathleen Phillips of Virginia, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Donations may be made to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital in lieu of flowers.

Calling Hours will be held on Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Rd., Madison, followed by a 2 p.m. graveside service for both Willard and Barbara at King’s Highway Cemetery, Cherry Street, Milford.