Ernie "Bud" Phillips was born in Cestos, Okla., on Nov. 17, 1927, to Lillie Eva Waldo Phillips and Emery Phillips, who have both preceded him in death. Ernie was an accomplished and respected pilot, with over 30,000 logged flight hours and 1,100 Arctic Circle crossings, who was a pioneer in the Alaska aviation industry utilizing the first Lear jets in support of the oil and gas industry in Alaska. Ernie was a problem solver who often introduced design improvements for the aircraft he operated, though he never formally trained in industrial design.
Ernie is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Louise, to whom he was married for 64 years and whom he lost six weeks before he died; grandson, Richard Todd Cassidy; and great-grandson Lane K. C. Halliwell.
He is survived by his daughter, Elaine Halliwell of Huntsville, Texa; his daughter, Marianne Head and husband, James, of Humble, Texas; and grandchildren: Chris Halliwell of Jacksonville, Fla., Kim Farmer of Sebring, Fla., Casey Halliwell of Jacksonville, Fla., Jeffrey Head of Austin, Texas, and John Head of Poulsbo, Wash. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 15, 2012, at the Brooke Funeral Home Chapel, 672 FM 980 Huntsville, Texas 77320. Contributions may be made to the Rita B. Huff Humane Society, 530 Bearkat Blvd., Huntsville, TX 77340.
Online family register book is available at brookefuneralservice.com.