Service Details

A celebration of life will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii at a later date.

The Story

After an 8 year battle with cancer, Frank William Phillips, 78, was called to heaven on June 23, 2016, where he was greeted with open arms by his parents Frank and June (Loos) Filipski, sister Mary Alice Phillips, brother Bill Filipski, and granddaughter MaryJo Phillips.

Frank was born on August 16, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois, the second-born of 10 siblings. A Carl Schurz High School graduate, Frank studied animal husbandry at the University of Mississippi, but soon discovered his passion in electronics. After many years of hard work, he started his own printed circuit board manufacturing and marketing companies, E2VSI and Nu Venture Systems, which he continued until his retirement.

Frank was a bold spirit and loved to share his experiences with family and friends through stories that we will look back on fondly…from being drafted into the Army to barber school to bidding on a blanket in an auction but winning a pony (named Fardwark) and driving it home in the back seat of his convertible. Frank loved fishing and enjoyed taking his Harley out on the open road to feel the wind in his hair. He loved blues and country music, especially Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. In his later years, Frank’s long pony tail and chiseled features would often cause people on the street to mistake him for Willie Nelson.

He is survived by his wife Patricia Phillips; children Frank (Donna) Phillips, Thomas (Elizabeth) Phillips, Cathy (John) Stocki, and Kathy (Ephraim) Bautista; siblings Fran (Ed) Malanowski, Don (Kitch) Phillips, Len Phillips, Penny (Len) Ostrander, Bonnie (Dee) Talley, Connie (Dave) Shaffer and Candy Villapiano; grandchildren Thomas Phillips, Brittany Phillips, and Cameron Bautista; and countless cousins, nieces, and nephews who will all miss him dearly.

A celebration of life will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii at a later date.


“Meet Me in Heaven” by Johnny Cash

We saw houses falling from the sky
Where the mountains lean down to the sand
We saw blackbirds circling 'round an old castle keep
And I stood on the cliff and held your hand

We walked troubles brooding wind swept hills
And we loved and we laughed the pain away
At the end of the journey when our last song is sung
Will you meet me in Heaven some day

Can't be sure of how it's going to be
When we walk into the light across the bar
But I'll know you and you'll know me
Out there beyond the stars

We've seen the secret things revealed by God
And we heard what the angels had to say
Should you go first or if you follow me
Will you meet me in Heaven some day

Living in a mansion on the streets of gold
At the corner of Grace and Rapture Way
In sweet ecstasy while the ages roll
Will you meet me in Heaven some day

In sweet ecstasy while the ages roll
Will you meet me in Heaven some day