Newton Bartlett Phillips,

Newton B. (John) Phillips, Jr., passed away Nov. 16, 2009. He was 81 years of age. He was born in El Paso, Texas March 15, 1928 and grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He attended Grade School and High School in Las Cruces, and then went to New Mexico Military Institute, New Mexico A. &M. College (now NMSU), and Texas Western College (which in now UTEP). After High School and at the end of World War II, he joined the Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. Hector, and was awarded the Victory Medal. During his College years he received an ROTC Commission and was immediately called to active duty serving as a 1st. Lt. He landed in Korea on November 17, 1951 and took part in heavy fighting on the Western Front. He was stationed with F. Company of the 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Division. While serving in Korea, he was wounded and was sent to 8055 MASH Hospital in Tague, Korea but soon returned to the front line. He received in Korean Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and the U.S. Service Medal. Upon returning home, he met his soon-to-be wife Bobbye Prentiss and they were married in 1953. He briefly worked at the El Paso Electric Company, the El Paso Natural Gas Co., E. & M. Supply and then went into the Home Building Business for the next forty-five years building many new homes, apartments and duplexes. In 1981, he served as President of the El Paso Builders Association. He is survived by his wife Bobbye of 56 years, his children Becky Martin (Jim), Bart Phillips (Tracy), Robert Phillips (Jennifer) and Linda Phillips. Grandchildren Austin and Ashley Martin children of Becky and Jim, Levi and Ryan Phillips, children of Bart and Tracy, and Brandon, Nick and Garrett Phillips children of Linda. He is also survived by sister-in-laws, Mary Jane Bills (husband Dick Bills) of Fabens, Texas, Betty Jo Andrews of Comanche, Okla., Earla Smith, of Comanche, Okla. Jennie Mae Prentiss of El Paso, Texas. Also, many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Washington, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana and Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Newton B. Phillips, Sr., and Ruth Mealey Phillips, his sister Phyllis Karlsruher, and brother William N. Phillips. Graveside Service will be held at 2:30 pm, Thursday, November 19, 2009 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Pallbearers will be the seven grandchildren, and Honorary Pallbearers will be Archie Beckett, Paul Roach, Jack Stroman, Wesley Walker, Dick Bills, and Elmer Cullers. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-West.