Bernie Phillips

Bernie Phillips, 85, of Ocean Springs, MS died Monday, September 28, 2015 in Pascagoula. Bernie was born in Parsons, WV, the second son of Elmer and Nina Phillips (Darkey) September 21, 1930. He graduated from Parsons High School in 1948 and attended West Virginia University. He joined the Army and was an Army Ranger in the 15th Infantry Airborn. After 2 years of service he returned to WVU and graduated with a BS. While in high school and first years of college, he worked with his brother, Elmer Phillips, in their father’s strip mining business driving and repairing heavy duty equipment. He married Mary Jo Langland in 1955. Looking for better employment opportunities, they moved across country to California with 2 sons, Mike and Jeff. While in California, he worked for the highway department building and repairing roadways, again driving heavy equipment. Daughter, Patricia Ellen Phillips (Higgins) was born while in California. Before leaving California, he was working for Lockheed. In 1967 he and his family of four moved to Pascagoula where he was employed by Ingalls Shipbuilding Company. He was Superintendent of Maintenance on East Bank and West Bank before becoming General Superintendent of Maintenance for the shipyard. At one point he managed over 700 people in the maintenance department. He retired in 1998 after 31 years with Ingalls. After retirement he continued working and volunteering in the community. He had to stay busy….. Bernie was also a member of Navigator Credit Union’s Board of Directors for 33 years. After retirement he held various positions in Gautier – Director of Water and Sewer Department, City Manager and Councilman. He worked with the United Methodist men after several disasters helping rebuild homes. He was a 16 year volunteer with the Ocean Springs Hospital Auxiliary and elected Auxilian of the year in 2010. He enjoyed repairing wheelchairs for the hospital and over 6 years he repaired a total of 342 wheelchairs. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Gautier. He was also a member of Ocean Springs Elks #2501 and the VFW. He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Phillips and Nina (Darkey) Phillips; his first wife of 45 years, Mary Jo Langland; and his brother, Elmer Phillips. In 2004, he married Nettie (Robertson-Coffey) Phillips. Bernie is survived by his wife of 11 years, Nettie; and his children, David Michael Phillips (Denise) of Gautier, Jeffrey William Phillips (Darlene) of Pascagoula and Patricia Ellen Phillips Higgins of Conroe, TX; his step-children, Norah Gambill Burt, Elizabeth Gambill Wilson (David), Mark Thomas Gambill and Natasha Leigh Coffey (Josh Cello); his grandchildren, Brianna Phillips, Dr. Brandon Phillips, Frankie Higgins, Tyler Higgins, Ambria Phillips and Michael Phillips; his step-grandchildren, Adam Burt (Amanda), Catherine Berry Jung (Talon), Alyssa Gambill Phillips (John), Wade Dixon, IV, L. T. Gambill and Ethan White; and great-grandchildren, Gage Jung, John Oscar Burt and Ella Burt. Bernie was an extraordinary man who touched and influenced the lives of everyone he met. He was a source of happiness and security for his family and he will be missed more than words can ever express. To us – he was one of a kind. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to the Ocean Springs Hospital Auxiliary or to the First United Methodist Church of Gautier Food Pantry. Funeral Services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Gautier on Thursday, October 1, 2015 at 11:00 am. Friends may visit from 10:00 am until service time. Interment will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.