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 26, 2012
    Pat Byrne says:
    I am so sorry to hear of Chet's passing. He was a treasured friend, a fellow member of the United Flying Octogenarians, and an active associate of the UFO's in North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky, where we all admired he and his lovely wife Marjorie flying in his beautiful Fairchild 24.

  • September 26, 2012
    Harry @ Esther Roberts says:
    So sorry for your loss. Chester will be missed by many, including us. You all will be in our prayers.

  • September 26, 2012
    Jim Tyson says:
    How we will miss Chet and his kindnesses! Our hearts go out to all the family.

  • September 28, 2012
    Ben McKay says:
    Chet and I go back many years to when I was just a teenager. He and I sang bass in the choir at Covenant Pres together. He mentored me and was a great friend. I grew to love him as a brother in Christ and developed a deep respect for him as well. I look forward to eternity when he and I once again will sing together, but with perfect voices! Danny, I loved your Dad and I will miss him. Thanks for also being such a good friend.

  • September 28, 2012
    Bob Field says:
    I first met Chet at the Air Museum when my wife and I moved to North Carolina. I volunteered to become a docent at the museum and was mentored by Chet as to the duties of a docent. His knowledge of flying and the history of the aircraft in the museum was unsurpassed. He and Marjorie spent many happy hours flying in his Fairchild 24, 'Ruby'. Besides being the chief docent, he always had time to spend with his many friends and aviation buffs. His passing has left a void that will be impossible to fill. Fly on Chet - You now fly with the Angels.