William “Billy” Joseph Phillips, 46, of Versailles, Kentucky, passed away Friday, July 11, 2025.
He was born on March 2, 1979, in Centralia, Illinois, the son of Teddy and Tish (Dempsey) Phillips. He married Jennifer Moore on September 1, 2001, and one child was born of this union. They later divorced. He married Erica Bates on April 7, 2007, in Reno, Nevada, and one child was born of this union. They later divorced.
Survivors include his daughters, Lexie Phillips of Patoka, Illinois, and Zoe Phillips and fiancé Trey Halfhill of Nancy, Kentucky; stepson, Trey Lowery; grandchildren, Eleanor Wood, Elizabeth Wood, and Malakai Halfhill; father, Teddy Phillips of Centralia, Illinois; mother, Tish Phillips of Centralia, Illinois; sister, Sheila Phillips of Centralia, Illinois; mothers of his children, Jennifer Phillips of Patoka, Illinois, and Erica Bates of Nancy, Kentucky; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his stepmother, Beth Rodgers; and niece Antionette Martin.
Billy was a loyal employee of UPS, where he worked hard each day, loading trucks for the odds and ins line, for right at 25 years. He was born and raised in Centralia, a proud graduate of Centralia High School Class of 1997, where he dominated as a wrestler and as a player on the football field. Billy was excited to move south, to Kentucky, 25 years ago, and quickly fell in love with the beauty that surrounded him there. He spent much of his time outdoors, discovering new hiking trails, kayaking on pristine waterways or practicing his shooting. Billy was the Kentucky State Champion in F Class Rifle Shooting in 2018 and 2019. His competitive nature was apparent and a driving force behind all his success, including board games. All the other players would know to be on their A-game, as Billy would show no mercy. He was an avid fan of basketball and probably one of Duke’s biggest fans. He was most proud to be a loving PaPa Billy for his grandkids, and he tried his best to show them how wonderful they were. Billy will be deeply missed by all who were a part of his life.
A celebration of Billy’s life service will be held 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia with Pastor Reed Tallman officiating. A time to offer support and share great memories of Billy with his family will be from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday at the funeral home in Centralia. Memorials may be made in his honor to his daughters, Alexis and Zoe Phillips to assist with expenses. Online condolences and memories of Billy may be shared with his family by visiting maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
