Obituary for William A. Phillips
William Alan Phillips, age 85 of Lee’s Summit, Missouri passed away on August 3, 2026 from natural causes. He was born July 19, 1941 in Eldon, Missouri to Louis D. and Helen F. Phillips. After graduating Eldon High School, he received a bachelor’s degree from Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri and a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He taught communication and English at several universities including the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point and English-As-A-Second-Language at universities in Saudi Arabia and Japan. He married Russell Clark on September 6, 2008 who preceded him in death.
He and Russell loved the arts, theater, symphony, opera, and traveling the world. William was a well-recognized expert on the literary works of British author Jane Austen. He had many good friends especially from the Chicago area who he affectionally called “The Gang” or the “Usual Suspects”. He was a long-time member of the Unitarian Church in Evanston, Illinois.
In addition to his husband Russell, he was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sister-in-law, Don E. and Shirley H. Phillips of Eldon, Missouri and a grand-nephew, Trevor D. Hoehn of Olathe, Kansas.
William is survived by niece Denice Robison of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, nephew Daniel Phillips (Yvonne) of Syracuse, Utah, grand-niece Jennifer Bryant (Blake) of Olathe, Kansas, grand-niece Ashley Leies of Dallas, Texas, sister-in-law Barbara Braddock of Jacksonville, Florida, sister-in-law Patricia Boldt of Jacksonville, Florida, and several cousins.
A graveside memorial service is planned for October 10, 2026 at Eldon City Cemetery, Missouri under the direction of the Phillips Funeral Home.
