GILFORD-----William H. Phillips Jr., 92, formerly of Hingham, MA, died August 8, 2018.
William was born in on March 20, 1926 in Boston, MA, to the late William Sr. and Olive (Beaulieu) Phillips. He was raised and educated in Hingham, MA. In hisyearbook was the prescient inscription: “Life is long, why not I”.
William was a World War II combat veteran, serving in the European Theater with the 83rd Infantry Division. He retired from the US Army with the rank of Sergeant Major.Mr. Phillips also retired from the Hingham Police Department after 35 years of service. He was assigned as a Safety Officer for 12 years and helped reorganize and supervise safety patrols in all of Hingham's elementary schools and St. Paul's Parochial School. In the 60s when AAA stopped the safety patrol trips to Washington, D.C., he and other safety officers organized and supervised the trips. William also supervised the school traffic guards.
In 1982, William organized Hingham Police's first Traffic Division under the direction of Chief Wm. Schmitt and Captain F. Krause. He also served on the Hingham Traffic Committee for 20 years, spending 7 of those years as chairman.William was past president of the Massachusetts Safety Offices League, past president of the South Shore Safety Officers, and past president of the Hingham Police Association.
During his Hingham years William balanced his work as a Hingham Police Officer, his commitments to the US Army Reserve, and continual home renovations.
After his retirement in 1986, William moved to Gilford, where he was elected to and served on the Gilford Budget Committee from 1999 to 2009. He also found time for researching his genealogy; rooting for the Patriots; and taking grandchildren to Boston plays, the US Military Academy at West Point, and Washington, D.C. In his 80’s William was able to drive on cross country trips to Ohio, Kansas City, Oklahoma, and Texas and fly to Alaska as he visited grandchildren and members of the 83rd Infantry.
William is survived by his sons, Michael W. Phillips and his wife, Corinne of Lancaster, NH, and Stephen R. Phillips and his wife, Michelle of Attleboro, MA; a daughter-in-law, Dolores Phillips; a brother, John J. Phillips and his wife, Catherine of Hull, MA; 10 grandchildren,9 great grandchildren, 2 nieces, and 3 nephews. In addition to his parents, William was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Roberta (Knapp) Phillips, and his son Eric J. Phillips.
In Lieu of Flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name tothe National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 or St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, 200 Wilson Circle, Boulder City, NV 89005.
Calling hours will be heldon Tuesday, August 14, 2018 from 5:00pm -7:00pm at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH, using the Carriage House entrance.
A Committal Service will take place later in Augustat the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral & Cremation Services is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.