Henry L. Phillips, 89

Henry L. Phillips of Millsboro died Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007, in Nanticoke Memorial Hospital after a sudden illness. He was 89.

Mr. Phillips was born in Gumboro, son of the late Lawrence K. and Camille Long Phillips.

Mr. Phillips led an astonishing life of public service, having retired as a police officer in 1976, and also retired from serving as a mail courier for the state of Delaware, and was employed as a funeral director's assistant at Watson Funeral Home since 1976.

He served for more than 50 years in the Fire Service at both the Gumboro and Millsboro fire departments.

Mr. Phillips was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in World War II.

In his very distinguished career, he served as a director of the State Fire School, held numerous offices in the fire company, and was a charter member of the Delaware State Fire Police Association, and served as a past state president. During his police career, he was renown in Millsboro and retired at the rank of lieutenant in 1976. He served for 30 years in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ambulance Service. He held the ranks of captain, lieutenant colonel and colonel in the fire police.

In 1983 he was appointed to the Delaware State Firefighters Hall of Fame and was also chosen as Fire Policeman of the Year. Since 1976 he had worked for Watson Funeral Home in Millsboro.

Mr. Phillips attended Zoar United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by a son, Henry L. Jr.; his brothers, Kenny and Reese; a sister Alice; and his special friend and companion, Jeanette Peters.

He is survived by a son and a daughter-in-law, Robert W. and Jean Phillips of Millsboro; two grandchildren, Aaron Phillips and Jennifer Lindenburger; four great-grandchildren, Blake Lindenburger, Trent Lindenburger, Andy Phillips and Ali Phillips; his former wife and friend, Iris Eskridge; and his best friend Jim Loomis.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro.

Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home with police, fire police and fire department honor guards, where friends may call three hours earlier.

During the service, Mr. Phillips will be promoted to the rank of brigadier general, posthumously, by the Sussex County Fire Police Association.

Burial with full honors will follow in Millsboro Cemetery.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Millsboro Volunteer Fire Co., P.O. Box 83, Millsboro, DE 19966.