W.J. "Sonny" Phillips of Grapevine, Arkansas was born April 22, 1935 in Sheridan, Arkansas the son of the late E.W. "Babe" and Madge "Cricket" Hester Phillips. He was a member of Ain Missionary Baptist Church at Grapevine and had retired from the Arkansas State Highway Department.

Sonny died Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at UAMS at the age of 74.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Atchley, and two sisters, Theresa Phillips and Maxine Baker, brother-in-law, Bobbie Dean Smith, a nephew, Wayne Harrington and a niece, Martha Smith.

Survivors: Brothers, Fred and wife Betty Phillips of Grapevine; Aubrey and wife Lela Phillips of Bauxite; Charles and wife Diane Phillips of Sheridan;

Sisters, Wilma Smith of California; Willene and husband Luther Anderson of Sheridan; Audrey and husband Roy Harrington of Sheridan; Mary Jane Jackson of Sheridan; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Friday, December 4, 2009 at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. J.J. Harrington and Bro. Danny Hill officiating. Burial will follow at Phillips Cemetery in Jefferson County. Visitation: Thursday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at the funeral home.

The family will be at the home of Roy and Audrey Harrington, 506 Grant 135, Sheridan.