Capt. Ennis Trafton "Phil" Phillips Jr.

Capt. Ennis Trafton “Phil” Phillips Jr., widower of Joanne Scott Phillips, ended his earthly journey on April 19, 2023. He was born Aug. 1, 1930, to Lillian Harris and Ennis Phillips Sr., in Hertford, N.C.  

Funeral services will be May 11 at 10:30 a.m. at Sauls Funeral Home of Bluffton, preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m. Burial, with full Marine Corps honor ceremonies, will follow at 2 p.m. at the National Cemetery, Beaufort. 

Phil heeded the call of the Marine Corps right after his graduation from Perquimans County (N.C.) High School. His service in the elite ranks included two tours in Vietnam where he flew 48 combat missions as a helicopter waist gunner. Military life perfectly suited his interest in the world beyond Hertford, which was fulfilled in part by his assignments in Japan, the Philippines, Hawaii, and several other states. Upon retirement from the Corps, he moved to Hilton Head and built a security department for Palmetto Dunes, rebuilt Sea Pines’ security department, and then did the same for Rose Hill. He also did special security work for S.C. Gov. John West, was a state constable, and finally was vehicle coordinator for Avis-Budget Rental Cars.   

He joined First Baptist Church, Hilton Head, in 1972, was ordained a deacon, was chairman of the Brotherhood and Transportation Committee, was on the Pastor Search Committee, and helped with Wednesday night suppers. Phil added his sweet voice “to make a joyful noise to the Lord” in the choir for many years. He was ordained a “deacon emeritus” in 2018.   

Phil was proud to have been awarded recognition as an Honorary Georgia State Trooper for his efforts to help people even in that neighoring state. 

Phil is survived by his son Wayne (Beverly) Phillips; step-children Roxy (Viki) Gwynn, Carol (Terrance Paczas) Adkins, Joanna (David) Brice, and Anne Marie (Andy) Hudick; grandchildren Lt. Col. Greg and Lt. Col. Rachel Phillips, Kaitlyn (Jacob) McMahan, Boyd (Danielle) Phillips, Cory Arford, Taylor (Ben) Cunningham, Kristina (John Goddard) Phillips, Jessica (Daniel) Chandler, Scott (Rebekah) Gwynn, Rose Gwynn, Daniel (Allie) Adkins, David Adkins, Kelsey Brice, Rushton (Frangelica) Bowen, Eden Bowen, and Drew Hudick; and sister-in-law Sylvia Phillips. Phil and Joanne were also blessed with 23 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by daughters Debra Phillips and Barbara Miller, son Keith Phillips, brother Johnny Phillips, and grandson Rob Gwynn.   

Phil, and all of us who loved him, greatly appreciated the superb and compassionate care provided by Crescent Hospice. Special thanks go to K.J. and Odetta in Charleston and both Lisas in Bluffton.  

Before each of Phil’s combat missions in Vietnam, the 23rd Psalm was his prayer. Goodness and mercy did surely follow him all the days of his life, and he will now “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  

Any and all memorials are welcome, but Phil had a deep love for First Baptist Church, Hilton Head, and for the work of St. Jude's Children's Hospital and the Wounded Warrior Project.

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