Albert Wade Phillips, 98, a resident of Pearland Texas, formerly of Portland Texas, passed away on December 31, 2023.

Fondly known as AW, he was born January 10, 1925 in Trinity Texas.  His family moved to Crawford Nebraska in 1933 and then to Sinton Texas in 1938.  He graduated from Sinton High School in 1942.  He served proudly in the Army Air Corp during WWII and was honorably discharged in 1946.    AW married Aline McNeely in 1949 in Trinity Texas, after a 2 year courtship.  They were blessed with 4 children (born 1953 – 1960).  During their 72-year marriage, they lived in Trinity Texas, Potosi Missouri, Greenwood Mississippi, Portland Texas, League City Texas, and Pearland Texas.

AW had an interesting and diverse career, starting as a home builder, following his passion for carpentry and construction.  He later went to work in the barite mines of Missouri. In the late 1960’s he followed his entrepreneurial spirit and became self-employed.  AW and Aline had a small family business in Portland Texas until the early 1980’s. In 1981, a family friend from the barite mining days, contacted AW about being the plant manager for Milpark Drilling Fluids in Galveston.  AW entered the corporate world for 10 years.  He retired in 1991, as a Domestic Production Manager for Baker Hughes.   After his retirement, Baker Hughes asked AW to lead a project in Alexandria Egypt, and then another project in Nigeria.

AW remained an avid carpenter all his life.  The family proudly owns many pieces of furniture that he made.  AW and Aline traveled in their RV for many years during retirement, driving all the way to Alaska from South Texas one year.  And he loved playing dominos and cards.  Our whole family played cards growing up.  He taught us well and made us a very competitive clan. He loved to shoot pool and was quite the pool-shark!  Not to mention, a great dancer!

AW is preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Aline McNeely Phillips.  Also his parents, Albert W Phillips Sr and Nellie Benton Phillips, and 2 sisters:  Dorothy Harris and Virginia Ring.

He is survived by his 4 children: daughter, Elaine Phillips Schield and husband Bart; sons: Barry Phillips and wife Susan, Stan Phillips and wife Margie, and Dwayne Phillips and wife Pam.  Also surviving him are 9 grandchildren: Josh Phillips, Patricia Phillips Garza, Megan Phillips Ramey, Cassandra Schield Canela, Valerie Phillips Sofia, Chelsy Schield Kauk, Jake Phillips, Mason Phillips, and Sam Phillips; and 8 great grandchildren.

Special thanks to the staff at Trinity Oaks Senior Living in Pearland and to Dr Maneesh Patel for his care and friendship over the years with both our parents.

A service celebrating AW’s life will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 10:00 am, in the chapel at Crowder Funeral Home, 2422 E Broadway, Pearland Tx.

Memorial gifts can be made in AW Phillips’ name to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/?form=FUNSETYDEFK