George W. Phillips

September 3, 2017

George W. “Bill” Phillips  was born in Springfield, MO on September 13, 1929, to Wade and Thelma Phillips. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Herbert, Wade, Jr., and Harry.

He leaves his loving wife of 42 years, Sandra of Pensacola; daughter, Nancy of Seattle, WA; and sons, Duane (Leah) of San Diego, CA and Gerald of Biloxi MS. He also leaves three grandchildren, Chloe, Gavin, and Riley whom he loved dearly; along with many nieces and nephews, including an Aspect Exchange student Svetlana originally from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan who now lives in London, UK.

In 1947, he joined the U.S. Navy and served 21 years in the data processing field. In September 1954, he was part of the first contingent of Navy programmers assigned to the newly formed National Security Agency where he worked as a Programmer/Methods Analyst in the Cryptology Branch. His most memorable and rewarding assignment was serving Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One (VQ-1) September 1959 to March 1963. He was responsible for the setup and operation of the first Ground Data Reduction Center (GDRC) in Navy Air Reconnaissance. In addition to his duties in the GDRC, he was assigned as a flight crew member on WV-2Qs and earned his Aircrewman wings from VQ1. He retired from Commander Naval Air Forces Pacific (COMNAVAIRPAC) as a Chief Data Processing Technician (DPC).

Upon his retirement from the Navy, he served the next 21 years as a Federal Civil Servant. He worked for Army Aviation Systems Command as a Computer Specialist. His primary assignment was Project Officer for installations, operations and programming an IBM 360 Systems aboard the USNS Corpus Christi Bay stationed at Vung Tau, Vietnam. He served two 3-month tours in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970. From 1971 to 1980 he served as Director, Data Automation Division, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Lompoc, CA. For his service, he was awarded the Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award. He retired from Federal Civil Service at NETPMSA, Saufley Field, Pensacola FL in February 1989.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 8, 2017 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Father Pat, Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church officiating.

Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery at NAS Pensacola, Florida.

Many thanks to Sacred Heart Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit doctors and nurses for their care and support.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society. Contributions can be mailed to: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Attn: Development, 875 N. Randolph St. Ste 225, Arlington, VA 22203 or the charity of your choice.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.

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Written by Jane · Filed Under Obituaries