AUBURN- Dr. William James Phillips, 78, passed away peacefully on the evening of May 11, 2026, at the Hospice House in Auburn, Maine. He is survived by his partner, Beth Steucek, and his children, Jonathan and Kelly. He was predeceased by his parents, Oakley and Ruth; his brother, Oak; and his sister, Laura.
Bill was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1948. He attended Occidental College in Los Angeles, Union Theological Seminary and Columbia University in New York, and Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia. Dr. Phillips worked as a cardiologist in Sayre, Pennsylvania; Binghamton, New York; and Lewiston, Maine, where he served as Director of Cardiology at Central Maine Medical Center from 2002 until his retirement in 2016. He was instrumental in creating the vascular center at CMMC and, through his work as a cardiac interventionist, saved countless lives over the course of his career.
Bill took great pride in his work as a physician and was a passionate advocate for social justice, especially equitable access to medical care. He was a vocal supporter of “Medicare for All” and believed that every person deserved to be treated with dignity and compassion.
Outside of medicine, Bill lived with curiosity and adventure. He was a world traveler, enjoying many memorable trips during retirement such as skiing in Austria and cycling through Italy. He was also a talented photographer and found deep peace on the water. Whether rowing, swimming, skiing, or sailing, he felt most at home in the natural world.
Bill was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Auburn, where he sang in the choir, participated in small group ministry, and served on the Board of Directors. He was also active in the Rotary Club and volunteered with the food pantry at the Congregational Church on High Street.
Bill will be remembered for his intelligence, generosity, adventurous spirit, and deep commitment to both his community and the people he loved.
A green burial will take place at Cedar Brook Burial Ground in Limington, Maine. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, at the First Universalist Church, 169 Pleasant Street, Auburn, ME.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Nature Conservancy, Doctors Without Borders, ACLU, or the First Universalist Church of Auburn.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras Funeral Homes, www.mainefuneral.com