Funeral service for 1SG (Retired) William R. "Budd" Phillips will be 12:00 p.m. Monday, September 21, 2026, in Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dr. Bill Schneider officiating.

Burial with full military honors will follow in Fort Sill National Cemetery.

The family will greet friends from 2-4 pm Sunday at the funeral home.

William R. "Budd" Phillips passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in Lawton, Oklahoma, at the age of 79. He was born June 12, 1947, in Port Huron, Michigan, to Francis Dewey and Dorothea Irene (McKee) Phillips. Budd grew up in Port Huron and graduated from high school in 1965. On January 8, 1970, he married Cheryl A. Losie in Honolulu, Hawaii.

In August of 1965, Budd began his military career with the United States Army. He served his country honorably for more than 20 years before retiring from the Army in August of 1986 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. A Vietnam veteran, Budd received numerous awards and decorations in recognition of his military service.

Following his military retirement, Budd continued his education at Cameron University. He went on to work for The Lawton Constitution, Northrop, and Telos. However, he was perhaps best known for his work as a veterans' service officer, where he dedicated himself to assisting veterans with their disability claims.

Budd was a 33rd-degree Mason and a member of Masonic Lodges No. 367 and No. 183. He was also a member of VFW Post 006, the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). He is survived by his wife, Cheryl A. Phillips; his son, Courtney Phillips and April; nine grandchildren, a brother, Charles; a sister, Carol; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, a son, Whitney W. Phillips, and two brothers, David and Roger, preceded him in death.

An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com