Byron Paul Phillips, 73

Byron Paul Phillips, 73, was born Sept. 12, 1948, to Ellis Bradley Phillips and Isabel Shipman Phillips. He joined brother Greg (then two years old) and was followed two years later by brother Dale.

He was raised in Libby and attended Libby High School where he played basketball and football. He also played Legion Baseball and enjoyed skiing. He graduated in 1966 and attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., for a short time. After leaving the university, he joined the U.S. Army. He attended basic infantry training and airborne school and was sent to Vietnam with the 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry (Mech) Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade. He was in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969.

He returned home to Libby and married Linda Finlayson on Sept. 12, 1970. On Sept. 22, 1975, they welcomed a son, Kenneth James, to the family. He was followed by a daughter, Lisa Lee, on July 23, 1977. Byron was extremely proud of the military service of both of his children and now his oldest grandson.

Byron loved anything outdoors or sports-related. He fished, golfed and was an avid skier since childhood. He played volleyball, basketball and was a standout softball pitcher who competed in local and regional tournaments. He coached his children’s Little League teams and loved being a member of the Logger football chain gang for nearly 30 years.

After retiring he enjoyed helping friends with building projects, taking road trips with various friends and painting crosses with other Veterans of Foreign Wars members.

He loved his six grandchildren. He cherished his time watching them play sports and was proud of all of their accomplishments.

He was preceded in death by his parents Brad and Isabel Phillips and older brother Greg Phillips.

Byron is survived by his wife of 51 years, Linda; children, Kenneth Phillips (Gina) and Lisa Phillips; grandchildren, Darius, Siane and Latasha (Lisa), and Matthew, Lincoln and Harper (Kenneth and Gina); brother, Dale Phillips; sister-in-law, Carol Phillips (Greg); sister-in-law, June Upchurch; step-brother, Jeff Gruber; nieces and nephews, Paul, Tyler and Miesha (Dale), Mark, Jance and Jeremy (Carol and Greg), and April (June).

Services will be held 11 a.m., Oct. 23 at the Libby Christian Church. In lieu of flowers or gifts please make donations to Turner Mountain at P.O. Box 210, Libby, MT 59923.

Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.