William Jay Phillips 81

William Jay Phillips, 81, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, surrounded by loving family.

Jay was born May 28, 1930, to Roscoe and Karna Phillips in Gooding, Idaho. He began his schooling in the Gooding area before the family relocated to American Falls, Idaho. Jay attended the old Fairview Elementary School  and graduated from American Falls High School in 1949.

Shortly after graduating, Jay enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served during the Korean conflict. After returning home from the service in January 1953, Jay met the love of his life, Betty Belville. They were married on July 25, 1953, in Pocatello, Idaho. The couple had seven children, but lost three of them to early deaths. They resided in several places in the Springfield/Pingree area early in their marriage.

Jay worked various jobs in these early years, doing everything from delivering milk and coal to working in a bakery in Blackfoot. As their children got older and ready to begin school, Jay moved the family back to his beloved American Falls where he had always hoped to raise his family. Jay worked at Lamb Weston for a few years before going to work for FMC in Pocatello, where he would work for 25-plus years until he retired.

Jay was a member of the VFW and was actively involved in the American Legion which was very special to him. He was a longtime life member and served in all the local offices up to commander, then was elected district commander, and finally state commander of Idaho in the late ‘70s. He was very proud of his country and fellow veterans and always wanted to help in any way he could. He worked with the local law enforcement agencies to start the fingerprinting program at the local grade schools, and assisted with getting the Life Flight program up and going in the Pocatello area. Both projects were very dear to him.

When Jay wasn't volunteering or serving his fellow veterans he loved to fish! His favorite trip was to Seward, Alaska, where he caught a 180-pound halibut. He also enjoyed hunting, snowmobiling, riding his motorcycle, and spending time with his children and their families. Jay loved his family and never missed an opportunity to drop in on an unexpecting family member. He looked forward to his family reunions when he could reminisce with his brothers and sisters. Jay never met a stranger and always had a joke to tell you.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, LeRoy, Dean, Earl and Glenn; a baby sister; his daughter, Beverly, and his infant sons, Jay Lynn and David Wayne Phillips.

Jay is survived by his wife, Betty, of 58 years, at the family home in American Falls; his children, LeRoy and Tamie Phillips of American Falls, Roger Phillips of Anthem, Ariz., Pam and Robert Mazza of Pocatello, Idaho, and Dorothy and Robert Glencross of Kalispell; and sister Maxine McCune, brother Merlin Phillips, and sister Darlene Grimm, of Blackfoot. He is also survived locally by grandchildren, Errin and Christopher Glencross, and Whitney and Gabe Spencer; and great-grandchildren, Errin Jr., Ayden and Drake Glencross, and Romy Spencer, all of Kalispell.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19, at the Aberdeen Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel, with Bishop Keith Phillips and Pastor Dean Lifshay officiating. Interment will follow the services at the Aberdeen Cemetery, with veterans honors by the Aberdeen American Legion Post. A reception will follow at the LDS Chapel. Visitation will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18, at Davis-Rose Mortuary in American Falls.