Stonington — William F. Phillips, 88, of Stonington, husband to Louise Burdick Phillips passed away Jan. 29, 2021. He was the son of Mabel and George T. Phillips of Waterford.
Bill graduated from Chapman Tech High School in 1950 and entered Electric Boat as an inside machinist apprentice. After graduating at the top of his class it was suggested that he apply to the drawing room. He was hired into Mechanical Design and became a supervisor at 33 years of age. He worked on the design of attack missile boats and went on several sea trials. He worked in Mechanical Design for the next 31 years becoming Chief of Mechanical Design and retired as Manager of Engineering/Design Services. Bill liked his job and was proud of his 42-year career at General Dynamics.
Bill was a wonderful father, every summer he would plan a camping vacation to a National Park. The boys always said their favorite was the mule ride to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Another favorite was touring the cliff dwellings of the Pueblo Indians in Mesa Verde. After his retirement in 1992, he and Louise traveled extensively with Road Scholar, biking in Europe, the United States and Central America. In later years they traveled to the Galapagos Islands and through the Panama Canal.
He leaves his wife of 63 years Louise; his two sons, Glenn Phillips of Hood River, Ore. and David and Darcy Phillips of Stonington; grandsons, Quintin Phillips and Richard McGuire; his brother Roger and Linda Phillips of Salem; sister Carol Traggis of Rochester, N.Y.; and sister-in-law Linda Phillips of Cranston, R.I. He was predeceased by his brother George Phillips; and brother-in-law Sarandos “Sandy” Traggis.
Bill was a kind husband, father and grandfather, he will be dearly missed. Services will be private for the family.
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