Edward C. Phillips

June 24, 1921 - October 7, 2016

Edward Charles Phillips, 95, passed away peacefully at home on October 7, 2016, surrounded by his beloved family and friends. Ed was born on June 24, 1921 in Denver, Colorado to Edward Irvin and Rose Catherine Phillips. He married Virginia M. Marron on January 4, 1944. Ed served honorably in the U.S. Army during WWII in the European Theatre. He participated in the Battles of Normandy (Omaha Beach, Saint-Lo), Northern France, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), Rhineland, and Central Europe. En route to the Pacific theatre following Germany’s defeat, Ed faced the prospect of yet more fighting. It was hot in the transport ship, and most nights his company camped out on deck. Lying in the heat under the stars, he began to feel that he might not come home. Then, at Guadalcanal, the ship was turned around. Japan had surrendered. Ed received the “Chevalier” or “Knight” of the Legion of Honor of France in 2014 for his service to the French people during WWII. Ed and Virginia made their home and raised their family in Salt Lake City, where Ed ran his own restaurant equipment manufacturing company. When his kids were grown, Ed attended Westminster College and earned a degree in business. He worked with Hill Air Force Base and then Hercules Corp. as a Logistics Engineer before retiring in 1986. Ed and Ginny enjoyed an active retirement filled with friends, travel, golf and bridge. They were members of the Utah Nature Study Society where Ed served as President for several years. Ed was an exceptional artist of stained glass, creating beautiful designs for his family members until he lost his sight to macular degeneration. In spite of this, he continued to create beautiful paper greeting cards for each family member up until a few days before his death. Ed and Ginny relocated to Oregon in 2008 in order to be closer to family. We will be forever grateful for the warm and loving care both our parents received from the staff and residents of Spring Ridge Court. Ed is survived by his five children, Joe (Helen), Dan (Nancy), Mary (David), Tom (Brenda), and Carole (Bob), and also by 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, October 12 at 2:00 PM, St. Cyril’s Catholic Church, Wilsonville, Oregon. A Holy Rosary and viewing will be held Friday at 3:00 PM at Cornwell Colonial Chapel, 29222 SW Town Center Loop E, Wilsonville. All are welcome. Internment will be on Monday October 17 at 9:30am, Willamette National Cemetery, Portland. “We think about you always and talk about you still, you have never been forgotten, Dad and you never will. We’ll hold you close within our hearts and there you will remain, to walk and guide us through our lives until we meet again.” We love you, Dad. Rest easy.