William Charles Phillips, 79, of Mediapolis, died Friday, August 1, 2025, at the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Downtown in Iowa City.
Born May 8, 1946, in Burlington, Iowa, Bill was the son of H. F. Mike and Phyllis Stuck Phillips.
Bill started working at 16 years old in sporting goods sales, taking a brief interlude in his younger years to serve his country with the United States Air Force. He would eventually sell sporting equipment through various retailers for 63 years and loved every day that he worked. He finished his sales career with Skeeter Kell Sporting Goods. Bill loved sports and worked as a sporting official for 50 years of his life, refereeing a variety of different sports. Bill also served as President of Heritage Oaks Golf Course and took great pride in the course.
Bill was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and loved nothing more than to be with his family. He enjoyed traveling and seeing the world. Bill and Cindy enjoyed many trips to the Dominican Republic to visit friends. Bill was an excellent cook and never passed an opportunity to try new food, especially BBQ. He had an appreciation for gardening and nature; often enjoying the peace of an early morning golf course or the river when he was fishing.
Bill had the biggest heart and his kindness and appreciation for others stayed with him to the very end - always putting others before himself. He will be missed tremendously, but his memory and legacy will continue on through his family and friends.
Bill's family include his wife of 34 years, Cindy Phillips - affectionately known as his Cinderella; children, Angela (Brian) Phillips-Derengowski, Bill (Angie) Phillips, Tony (Michelle) Phillips, Hoang (Sima) Huynh, Kecia (Gray) Steelman, and Dusty (Joel) Prottsman; siblings, Barb (the late Randy) Drish, and Fr. Michael Phillips; sixteen grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren.
Sadly, Bill is preceded in death by his parents.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory. A celebration of life visitation for Bill will be held Saturday, August 30th from 5-7 pm at the Heritage Oaks Golf Course (15582 40th St., Wapello).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heritage Oaks Golf Course.
Please continue to keep Bill's family in your thoughts during this difficult time.