Billy Ray Phillips

Billy Ray Phillips, age 71, of Salem, passed away Monday, January 16, 2017 at his home.
Billy Ray Phillips was born to Dwight ("D.L. Bud") and Lorena (Baird) Phillips on May 1, 1945. He was a lifetime resident of the Damascus area. He graduated from West Branch High School, Malone College and obtained his Master's degree from Akron University. During his college years he was involved in the family Phillips Lime and Fertilizer business. He retired in 2005 from West Branch High School where he had been a teacher for 35 years. As a lifetime member of Damascus Evangelical Friends Church, he has served as a Sunday School teacher, trustee, usher, and also served as Damascus cemetery trustee. He was a Damascus Ruritan member for 26 years and served as president several times. He was also a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Family Motorcoach Association, and Great Trail Model A Club.
He was always helping people and found great joy in his involvement with the Friends Disaster Service. This took him into many different areas of the United States from Louisiana after the Katrina Hurricane to Rough Rock Indian Reservation in Arizona. Also to Texas, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Michigan, and many local Ohio projects as well.
He enjoyed traveling and had visited all 50 of the United States and thoroughly enjoyed the 12 trips taken to Alaska. His love for nature and wildlife were expressed in his daily life. He enjoyed anything outdoors including riding ATV's, flying his powered parachute in summer, as well as, winter for 79 consecutive months. Many evenings would be spent sitting on the deck of our private get-away cabin in the woods listening to the birds sing and watching the fish in the lake below. Occasionally we would observe deer coming for a drink from the lake.
He is preceded in death by his father.
In addition to his mother of Sebring, he is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Phillips of the home; children, Julie Spalding of Fishers, IN, Michael (Samantha) Phillips of Hartville, OH, and Ryan (Lisa) Phillips of Concord, MA; eight dearly loved grandchildren, Kirsten, Aaron, Alexandra, Maria, Evan, Lily, John, and Henry; a sister, Donna (Walt) Lautzenheiser; brother, Roger (Becki) Phillips; and nieces, nephews, and many friends. Also, a special lifetime friend and brother, Bob Winn.
As a family, we wish to thank Dr. F. Cortese and his staff for their excellent care and service during these past months. They are all wonderful caregivers. Also thanks to Alliance Hospice.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 21, 2017 at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home with Rev. Richard Rohrer officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, January 20, 2017 and one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
Interment will follow at Damascus Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Damascus Evangelical Friends Church c/o Camp Gideon Fund PO Box 205 Damascus, Ohio 44619 or Ohio Haiti Benefit Auction Box 98 Walnut Creek, Ohio 44687.
Arrangements are with Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, 75 S. Union Ave. Alliance Ohio 44601.

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