William "Bill" Phillips

William “Bill” Phillips, age 77, of Grants Pass, died August 27, 2020 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center.

Bill was born May 24, 1943 in Carmel, California to the late Julius B. & Shirley M. Phillips. He grew up in Pacific Grove, California, graduated from Pacific Grove High School and attended Monterey Peninsula College. Bill married Patsy Jo Hatwig in Las Vegas, Nevada in April 1965 and in 1966 they moved to Porterville, California. For many years Bill owned and operated an antiques shop and then for 16 years worked for “Tom’s Peanuts” out of Visalia, California. After selling his candy route, he moved to Grants Pass, Oregon in 1983 where he purchased Willow Lane Market which he owned and operated for 22 years until selling the store to retire.

While living in California, Bill volunteered for Search & Rescue in Tulare County and was a member of the Elks Lodge.

Bills hobbies included fishing, hunting, working around his house, and rappin’ and rhymin’.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Robert Phillips.

He is survived by his wife Patsy Jo Phillips of Grants Pass; two daughters Lisa L. Van Dyk of Wendell, Idaho and Vanessa M. Blacksmith of Grants Pass; brother Donald C. Phillips; four grandchildren Madisen Van Dyk, Alexander Van Dyk, Ryan Blacksmith and Derick Blacksmith; and great-grandchild Isabella Blacksmith.

Donations may be made in his name to the Gospel Rescue Mission and/or Paralyzed Veterans.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 22, 2020 at Jerome Prairie Community Hall, 5368 Redwood Avenue Grants Pass, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.