Francis William Phillips
June 14, 1921 ~ March 10, 2013
Frank Phillips, age 91, of Williams Lake, BC, passed away on March 10, 2013 at Deni House. A graveside service took place March 14, 2013.
Frank Phillips was born on June 14, 1921 in Ockbrook, near West Hallam, Derbyshire, England. At the age of 6 months, he moved with his parents Gwilym (W.D.) and Lucy (Flint) Phillips, to Deep Lake, near Paradise Valley, Alberta. Here they farmed for several years.
In 1926 the family, which now included Frank’s sister Margaret, relocated to Chilliwack, BC. Upon his graduation from Chilliwack High School, Frank studied aeronautical engineering at Aero I.T.I. in Los Angeles, California and continued his education at Noorduyn Aviation in Montreal. During the war he was employed by Boeing in Vancouver and Seattle.
On March 4, 1944, Frank married Joy Jones, of Eburne (now Richmond) BC. He joined the Navy and was shipped out to Sydney, Nova Scotia, and served time on the H.M.C.S. Discovery, on Atlantic convoy duty. After the war, Frank and Joy owned and operated two small grocery stores. Following this, Frank worked in the manufacturing of stainless steel machinery in Vancouver, and lived in Burnaby and Pitt Meadows. Frank took early retirement at the age of 50 in 1974 and he and his family moved to White Lake, near Salmon Arm, BC.
It wasn’t long before he was approached to run for the Regional District. After election and re-election, Frank spent many years serving the community of Salmon Arm. He was chairman of Columbia-Shuswap Regional District, representing Area C, using his many talents and skills to focus on economic development. Frank was well respected for his contributions in the Shuswap area, and retired from this activity in March 1990, at which time they moved to Felker Lake near Williams Lake. They enjoyed many years at the lake. Recently, they moved into Williams Lake and loved the view from their new home where the chipmunks and the deer were frequent visitors.
He was an unassuming man, who worked well with others and was able to bring out the best in people. The poems of Robbie Burns and Robert Service were amongst his favorites. Dad was proud to be a Canadian and he thought that we all owe something to our communities in return for the benefits we receive. He was and avid reader, and a life-long learner. Dad always enjoyed a good conversation and loved discussions, especially around the dinner table. He encouraged us to disagree, to question and to challenge the status quo.
Dad was interested in what we were all doing... and more importantly, what we thought! He taught us to believe in ourselves, to stand up for ourselves, and to accept responsibility. Mom and Dad enjoyed their travels to Wales, England and to far off places such as Australia, New Zealand and Irian Jaya, New Guinea. Gardening was one of his greatest pleasures throughout his life.
Frank was a student of the Bible and enjoyed leading Bible studies wherever they lived. His philosophy in life could be summed up in the words found in Micah 6:8: “...to act justly, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with God”.
Frank will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. His devotion and faithfulness to the Lord is the legacy he leaves to us.
Remembering Frank are Joy, his wife of 69 years and 4 children:
Carol (Les) Westmacott, Nelson, BC and family: Marc (Nancy) Westmacott and children Caleb, Calla and Annika, Langley, BC; Caryn Westmacott, Vancouver, BC and David Westmacott, Kelowna, BC.
Donna (Barry) Foulds, Salmon Arm, BC and family: Megan (Dave) Willms and daughter Nora, Vancouver, BC; Ian (Kristin) Foulds and family: Marin, Corban, Jeriah and Asher in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Beth (Raymond) Todd, Whitehorse, Yukon and family: Eric (Kerry) Cheyne, Inuvik, NWT and Stuart Cheyne, Whitehorse, Yukon.
John (Elaine) Phillips, New Westminster, BC and family: Paul Phillips, Abbotsford, BC and Joel Phillips, Port Moody, BC.
Sister Margaret Harms, Tsacha Lake, BC and family; and sister-in-law Marjorie Dodge, Vernon, BC.
A family gathering to honor Frank’s life will take place at a later date.