William (Bill) Phillips, 78, of LaMoille, passed away Sunday, May 5, 2019 at Perry Memorial Hospital, Princeton.

Funeral services will be Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Community United Methodist Church, LaMoille with Rev. David Jungnickel officiating. Burial will be in Elm Lawn Cemetery, Princeton with military rites by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-7 p.m. in the church.

Bill was born on October 26, 1940, in LaSalle to Michael and Anna (Christman) Phillips. Bill was a 1958 graduate of LaMoille High School and attended Illinois Valley Community College. On October 28, 1962, he married Margo Thompson in Princeton. Bill worked in the engineering and planning department at Caterpillar in Aurora for more than 35 years before he retired. In addition to working at Caterpillar, he was a farmer for many years.

Bill's greatest joy in life was watching his children and grandchildren play sports. He tried to make every sporting event possible.   Life's other enjoyments were playing golf and spending time with his friends, whether it be for coffee or watching Jeopardy at the V.F.W. He enjoyed being a member of the American Legion, AMVETS, and the Moose Club. He was an involved member of the V.F.W. and served as the 2011-2012 Illinois State Commander.

Bill was on active duty with the U.S. Army and was with 79 ^th Transportation Company, 229 Air Mobile 1 ^st Calvary, and 498 Medevac Company. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Aircraft Crewman Badge.

He is survived by his wife, Margo of LaMoille; two sons Steve (Rae Lynn) Phillips of Syracuse, Kansas and Doug (Jennifer) Phillips of Princeton; four grandchildren, Jake, Megan, Austin, Tyson; his mother Anna Phillips of Princeton; sister Diane (Morry) Schlegel of LaMoille and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and a nephew Jeff Thompson.

Memorials may be directed to Mendota V.F.W. Post 4079 or Illinois Cancer Care.