Helicopter Pilot. Killed in Vietnam
Vietnam Memorial - Panel 14E, Line 113.
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Obituary from The Daily Corinthian - Corinth, Alcorn, Mississippi

WILLIAM RUSSELL PHILLIPS

Major William Russell Phillips, 37-year-old career Air Force man, became the second Alcorn Countian to die in Vietnam when the helicopter he was piloting landed on an enemy mine February 6, 1967. Major Phillips was the son of Mrs. J. W. Phillips pf Corinth.
In the military service 18 years, Phillips was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. He had been in Vietnam only a little more than a month when he was killed.
His wife, Mrs. Betty Kirvin Phillips, and five children - son William Russell Phillips, Jr. and four daughters, Sarah, Ann, Linda and Mary, were living in Enterprise, Ala., at the time of his death.
Three brothers, Millard Phillips, Garvin Phillips and John T. Phillips, all live in Corinth. Two sisters, Mrs. Callie Douglas and Mrs. Cleo Shipman, also live here. Other sisters are Mrs. Ruby Rickman of Gary, Ind., Mrs. Emma James of Memphis, and Mrs. Eunice Bugg of Guys, Tenn.
Major Phillips was born in Tishomingo County and was graduated from Kossuth High School before receiving his degree at Mississippi State University and entering the service.
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Note by D. G. D.: William Russell served in the USAF as an enlisted man, and as an officer in the US Army. He had been promoted to Lt. Colonel just before he was killed. He never knew about his promotion.

He was originally interred in Meadowlawn Cemetery in Enterprise, Alabama. He was later cremated and moved to this Columbariun. His original military grave marker is in the possession of his son, William Russell Phillips, Jr.