Leonard G. Phillips, 86, of Murphy died Friday, December 16, 2005 in a Clay County care center. A native of Clay County, he had lived in Cherokee County since 1947. He was the son of the late Fred and Maneriva Stillwell Phillips and the husband of the late Willie McKinney Phillips, who died Nov. 22, 1994. He was a veteran of WWII serving in the US Army in the European Theatre. Leonard retired in 1995 after 48 years as a barber in Murphy. He was a member of the Shiloh Baptist Church.

Surviving are one sister, Joann Segner of Tulsa, OK; two brothers, Todd and Edward Phillips both of Hayesville; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 3:00 PM Sunday, Dec. 18 in the Chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy with the Revs. Johnny Foster and Gary Hampton officiating. Burial was in the Osborne Cemetery in Hiawassee, GA with military graveside rites conducted by the American Legion Post 96, DAV Chapter 73, VFW Post 10222, and Hayesville VFW Post 6812 (Allison-Bristol). Pallbearers were Greg and Floyd Phillips, Gary Hampton, Jimmy Stover, and Eddie and Jeff Cheeks.

The family received friends from 1-2:45 Sunday afternoon at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy prior to the services.

The family requests memorials be made in memory of Leonard G. Phillips to the Oxford Orphanage, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565-2758.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.