William C. Phillips ’61 died on September 22, 2023, in Lititz, Pennsylvania.
(The following was provided by the Lancaster Online on September 27, 2023:)
William C. Phillips ’61
William Cordes Phillips, 84, of Lititz unexpectedly passed away on Friday, September 22, 2023. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, to Howard and Margaret Phillips (Cordes).
William (Bill) was a graduate of Shady Side Academy and Bowdoin College. At Bowdoin he studied literature and sociology. His career began as a teacher at Winchendon School in Massachusetts. Later, William studied literature at the University of Arizona, Tucson.
William served as a reservist in the National Guard, attending basic training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He attended six years of summer camp at Fort Indiantown Gap in artillery.
William met his future wife, Joyce Hutchison, while both worked in the anti-poverty movement in Pittsburgh. William was at Kingsley Settlement House and Joyce worked at the Jewish Family Services.
William and Joyce were married in Glenshaw, PA, in 1967. After the wedding, the couple returned to Arizona for William to complete his master’s degree in American literature, ultimately returning to Pittsburgh to teach English at Point Park College.
William received his Masters of Public Administration degree at the University of Pittsburgh, leading to a long career as a public servant in the nonprofit sector starting at the United Way of Pittsburgh and ending with the United Way of America in 1996 in Alexandria, VA. While at the United Way, William led the research division and later the National Academy for Volunteerism. To complete his career, William was selected to lead the IBM Quality Initiative as a consultant.
William had a strong sense of commitment to volunteering, devoting many years to mentoring organizations such as Pets On Wheels, and lastly, significant contributions as a board member to the Lancaster Public Library.
William is survived by his wife of fifty-six years, Joyce; son, Josh Phillips (Carol); daughter Carrie Gerard (Brian); and grandsons Ethan Gerard, Garrett Phillips, Graham Gerard, and Carter Phillips. William was predeceased by his brothers, Marshall and Howard Phillips.