Benjamin Phillips Obituary

Colonel (Ret.) Benjamin H. Phillips, Jr., of Greer, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2025. He grew up in Newberry, South Carolina and was the son of the late Benjmain H. Phillips, Sr. and Margaret Florine Phillips of Route 1, Newberry, South Carolina. He graduated from Newberry College in 1964 with a BS in Chemistry. He then volunteered to attend the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, Georgia. He served with the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam from 1966-1967. He received the Purple Heart in the Battle of Minh Thanh Road on July 9, 1966. After returning to Vietnam from Camp Zama Hospital in Japan, he was assigned to the staff of the 1st Infantry Headquarters. Colonel Phillips served numerous assignments and was awarded additional medals including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and the Air Medal. Colonel Phillips was a U.S. Army War College graduate and was inducted into the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Ft. Benning, Georgia, in 1992. Colonel Phillips is survived by his loving children, the Rev. Ben Phillips III (Rebecca) and Dr. Michelle Hudspeth (Chuck); his grandchildren, Lauren Hudspeth, Sarah Hudspeth, Josh Phillips, Andrew Phillips, and Hannah Kate Phillips; his sister-in-law, Diane Alexander (Harley); three nieces and two nephews; and numerous dear friends. He was predeceased by his wife, Shelby W. Phillips, sister, Bertha Phillips, and brother C. Eugene Phillips. Funeral services will be held 11: 00 a.m. Saturday, October 11, 2025, at The Wood Mortuary conducted by Rev. Jerry Long and the Rev. Ben Phillips III. Visitation will be held 10:00-10:45 a.m. Saturday, October 11, 2025, at The Wood Mortuary. Burial will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 17, 2025, in Fort Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia, South Carolina, with full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Newberry College at www.newberry.edu/giving/guide-to-giving. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.