Chester W. Phillips

September 19, 1922 - September 23, 2012
Chester W. Phillips

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Chester W. ìChetî Phillips, 90, of Columbus, died Sunday, September 23, 2012 at Smith-Phayer Hospice House in Landrum, SC. Born September 19, 1922 in Duluth, MN, he was the son of Chester and Doris Black Phillips.

He lived in Fargo, ND prior to entering military service in 1943. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers three years, mostly in India and Burma. He married Virginia Garrett of Miami, FL in 1946 and graduated Maryville College, Maryville, TN in 1949. At that time he and Virginia moved to Miami and operated a retail business for sixteen years, after which he began a home building business. In 1971 they moved to Hendersonville, where Chet continued building until retirement. He developed the Dellwood subdivision in which he built the Dellwood apartments and most of the homes.

He was a charter member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, where he participated in the music program. He contributed to the Community Foundation of Henderson County, Pardee Foundation, Free Clinics, and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, and WNC Air Museum, where he owned and flew several aircraft.

In 2003, he and Virginia moved to Tryon Estates in Columbus, where he was preceded in death by Virginia after 57 years of marriage.

In 2004 Chet married Marjorie Ann Thomas, also a resident of Tryon Estates, where they continued to live. He is survived by his son Daniel and his wife Rebecca of Fletcher; his daughter Carol of Hendersonville; brother Bob of Winter Park, FL; brother-in-law Willis Garrett of Hendersonville, and several nephews and nieces.

A memorial service is 1:30 Friday, September 28, 2012, at Tryon Presbyterian Church, conducted by Pastor Dent Davis and Chaplain Ralph Kuether. Memorials may be made to the Community Foundation of Henderson County, 401 N. Main Street, Suite 301, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Flowers may be delivered to Shuler Funeral Home.


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  • September 25, 2012
    Alex Nelon says:
    Happy Landings, Chet.

  • September 25, 2012
    Lee and Linda Harney says:
    This world has lost an incredibly special man, and we have lost a dear, dear friend. Marjorie, Danny, Carol Ann, and Father Bob, our hearts go out to you all as we offer prayers of thanksgiving and remembrance for our beloved Chet.

  • September 25, 2012
    Beth & Vic Ray says:
    So sorry for your loss. Praying strength and peace for all those who knew and loved him. He is no longer suffering. We love you all.

  • September 25, 2012
    Donald Buck says:
    A fine man who set a great example. As a long time member of the Western North Carolina Air Museum he was very generous with his time and donations to it's operation and exhibits. He served on the Board of Directors and as Chief Docent for many years. Thank you Chet, you will be greatly missed.

  • September 25, 2012
    Garland Goodwin says:
    It has been my happy privilege to count Chet as a friend for only a few recent years, but in that time I came to know a gentleman whose love of his family, his God, his country, and his airplanes was profoundly manifest in all that he did. Chet always led a prayer before our meetings at the Air Museum, and he seemed to be just renewing a continuing conversation with his Lord. Chetís generosity was exceeded only by his kindness as he walked among us. Now we must yield his spirit to his Maker, and go on with only his memory to sustain us. Happy landings, Chet, for both yourself and us, as you have verily shown us The Way.