Clarence Bruce Phillips, 89, passed away peacefully at his home in Casper, Wyoming, on December 13. 2025.
He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on April 11, 1936, to Clarence Henry “Red” and Mildred (Baker) Phillips. He married Norma Bundy on July 8, 1955, at First Christian Church in Centralia. Norma passed in 2003.
Survivors include his daughter, Kim, and husband, Greg Randolph of Centralia; grandson, John, and wife, Vanessa Randolph of Salem; great-grandsons, Gregory and wife, Bethany Randolph, and Brandon Randolph of Kentucky.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Charlie Phillips, and his Grandson, Jason Randolph.
Bruce graduated with the class of 1954 at Centralia Township High School, where he played football, ran track, and was a lifelong Orphan. He attended Centralia Junior College, where he was on the tennis and basketball teams. He then attended SIU Carbondale, where he majored in Electronic Engineering.
As a teen, he worked as a pinsetter at the bowling alley, then at Hollywood Candy Company in the lab. In 1961, he started working for Illinois Bell as a lineman. Bruce was involved with the Civil Defense here in Centralia and was a member of the Elks. After moving to Wyoming, he went with AT&T, then started his own company, Phillips Communication Service, Inc., where he installed office communication systems and created a wireless internet provider, wyobeam.com.
Bruce was an avid golfer and bowler. He played on softball teams and loved water skiing, camping, and fishing. He was a member of First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, and the Young Adults Class, where he and a friend, Merle Rogers, started the tradition of bringing donuts from Mother’s Bakery to class.
He was the best husband, father, grandfather, and friend a person could ever have.
Per his request, there will be cremation and no public service.
