William Joseph Phillips
William (Will) Joseph Phillips was born on March 15, 1990 in Springfield, MO, to Roger and Ginger (Vestal) Phillips. He lost his life as a result of mental health struggles on Thursday, May 20, 2021, at the age of 31.
Will grew up in Springfield where he enjoyed playing sports, participating in band, and studying for his future. From an early age, Will was dependable, witty, goofy, and driven. One common theme throughout all of Will’s life was his desire to give. When something needed to be done, he would find a way to make it happen. From planting a hosta for his Grandma this last Mother’s Day to stepping up to a new position on his high school soccer team. When Will could help, he would.
Will attended the University of Missouri Rolla (MO S&T) and earned his degree in Civil Engineering. Following his time at MO S&T, Will went on to the University of Arkansas where he earned a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering. Will was an excellent student with a real desire to learn all he could about his field of expertise. He appreciated having a hand in making sure structures were strong and safe for those using them. Will always liked helping others and his career as an engineer allowed him to help people on a broad level.
Will was an outdoor enthusiast. He enjoyed hiking, biking, and introducing Aurora to new outdoor experiences. Will was talented with woodworking and could build most anything. One of Will’s principles was to only pay others to do the projects that he couldn’t do himself. His woodworking and carpentry skills were put to good use as he worked to remodel his home over the last couple of years. Will also loved to get his hands in the dirt and was an avid gardener. Sharing the fruits of his labor, by providing fresh produce for the family, brought him much joy.
Will had a laugh that would make anyone, within hearing distance, crack a smile. His belly laugh was loud, contagious, and genuine. We will miss his sense of humor, his random facts about anything you might want to know, and his curiosity about how things worked. Speaking of Will’s random facts, we would check him often and he was usually right. In Will’s gentle way, he tried with all his might to navigate what life brought his way.
The family asks that you plant a tree or go on a hike, in remembrance of Will. Take a moment to breath, think about those you love, and nurture those around you. Like Will, we are all trying to navigate what life brings our way. Our hope is that this small moment of self-care, might remind us all just how important it is.
Will was preceded in death by his father, Roger Phillips. He is survived by his mother, Ginger; wife, Jillian and daughter Aurora, Bentonville, AR; grandmother, Flora Phillips, Marshfield, MO; sister, Emilie Phillips (Trichia Long) Springfield, MO; sister, Jennifer Seiwert (Keith), Rogersville, MO, and two nephews Paxton & Owen Seiwert; in-laws Mark, Phyllis, and Stephanie Shaw, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, May 25, 2021 at Fraker Funeral Home, 1131 State Hwy A, Marshfield, MO, followed by burial at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 10AM before the service.
Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to NAMI Northwest Arkansas or Arkansas 529 college fund for Aurora: https://www.ugift529.com/ Code: 432-T9M.
To view a live stream of William’s funeral service use the following information: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84958775660?pwd=Qm82VmNtRDJYR25jcnFEbmZFcGp6UT09
Meeting ID: 849 5877 5660
Passcode: 687037