On December 1st, 1938, God blessed Lily Mae Phillips and Reverend James D. M. Phillips, Sr. with a baby boy and they named him Billy Ray Phillips, Sr. Billy was an adventurous and caring son, always willing to help his many brothers and sisters. As Billy was growing up, his caring attitude towards his family and friends only grew stronger. Billy attended school at Haskell Public Schools, where he gained many friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Billy met Oma Jean Jefferson, when he was 18 years of age and together they had three children named, Billy Ray Jr.,
Mark Phillips and Tiklia Phillips (Titsworth). He also helped raise his stepchildren, in which most carry his Phillip's name, Terry Don Hall, Elsworth Jefferson, Amy Phillips, Nicki Don Phillips and Ingrid Phillips. Although the love between them would last forever, they grew apart.

He later met and married Mattie Mae Phillips. They had no children of their own, but he was a father to Pierre Shipp who is his grandson as well as Mattie's kids in which he treated them as if they were his own: Joann Shipp, Ricci Phillips, Brenda Ham and Calvin Fields. Billy may not have been the perfect husband or father, but he did the best he could to teach, love and inspire his kids, stepchildren and many grandchildren.

As a young adult, Billy was a pillar in his community of Taft where he was the Mayor starting in 1976. During this time he would talk about his experiences with celebrities, such as Red Fox and others coming to Taft as it was once a thriving African American community. Billy was known for his big heart, but more so his famous Bar- B-Q and his historic BBQ pit. He loved to BBQ for the entire community during the holidays, and most often it would be free of charge because he loved and knew everyone. Billy was a devoted deacon at the First Baptist Church of Taft.

On November 29th, 2022, God called home his servant to the "Big Smoker in the Sky!"

Billy was preceded in death by: his parents, Lily Mae Phillips and Reverend James D.M. Phillips, Sr., two sons, Mark Anthony Phillips, Terry Don Hall and both sets of his maternal and paternal grandparents.

He leaves to cherish his memory: Billy Ray Phillips, Jr. (Meco), Tiklia Titsworth (Stanley); his stepchildren, Elsworth Jefferson, Nicki Don Phillips, Amy Phillips, Ingrid Phillips, Joann Shipp, Ricci Phillips, Brenda Ham, Calvin Fields and along with a host of grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives who will continue on in his Phillip's name and legacy.

The Hour of Remembrance for Mr. Phillips will commence on Friday, December 9, 2022 at the Eleventh Hour in the most holy sanctuary of Antioch Temple of Hope in Muskogee.

You may visit Billy, as he slumbers in peaceful repose in the People's Chapel of the Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc., in Muskogee on Thursday, December 9, 2022 between the hours of 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM.

Burial will immediately follow the services in the Booker T. Washington Cemetery in Muskogee.