Memorials › William Thomas "Tom" Phillips II

William Thomas "Tom" Phillips II

23 Dec 1900 – 12 May 1972

Birth23 Dec 1900
Death12 May 1972
CemeteryOak Hill Memorial Park
San Jose , Santa Clara County , California , USA
Added bySimmons Family on 26 Mar 2011
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66524377

Bio

William Thomas [Tom] Phillips II was born 23 December 1900 in Booneville, Logan, Arkansas the youngest child of William [Bill] Thomas Phillips and Sarah Cora Holland. Siblings: James Wesley (1883-1944), S.G. Vinia (1884-1957), Myrtle Edola (1889-1966), Stephen 'B' (1891-1936), Ola Mae (1894-1960) Odis (1894-1894), Zula Jane (1895-1940) and Ruby Marie (1899-abt.1903). He never knew his father as Bill was shot and killed on May 18, 1901. In 1906 Sarah remarried Gilbert Wesley Hunt and she gave birth to 2 more sons, George Washington Hunt (1907-1977) and Frank Hugh Hunt (1909-1971). Tom attended school for just a few years, only finishing 4th grade before he had to start working. On 23 April 1922 Tom married Stella Lee Moore in Howe, LeFlore, Oklahoma. They were the parents of 6 children: William James [Jack] (1922-1984), Ruby Lee (1925-2003), Guy Parker (1927-1986), Reba Rebecca (1929-2003), Bobby Wayne (1931-1996) and Hoyett Leroy (1933-1997). During the Oklahoma dust bowl days of the 1930's, Tom & Stella took their family and moved to California in search of work. They found work as migrant fruit pickers and Tom did some carpentry work. In 1940, the family lived in Madera, California. They later moved to Boulder City, Nevada. During World War II, the family moved back to Oklahoma for a while and lived in Wister. After the war was over, Tom & Stella moved to Idaho in 1950 where they lived for a few years. They lived in Ririe with Ross & Ruby for a while and then rented a house in Menan, Idaho. Tom and Hoyett worked as carpenters and were involved with the building of the Bel-Air housing addition in Idaho Falls. They were not happy with the colder climate so they moved back to California in 1953 and were living in Baldwin Park, California when Tom suffered the first of several strokes on 24 February 1956. "An account of the incident was related by Stella Phillips to daughter Ruby in a letter dated Tuesday evening, March 6, 1956. (Original spelling & text preserved) Dear Ruby & Family, Thought I would ans your letter which we receieve after we return home last Sat-3rd after being up at Guys a week. Yes, we went up to Guys 24th on Friday that night at 9:30 Dad had a strock. He coulden talk for 3 days, just mumber. Just had to guess what he said almost lost the use of his right arm and leg. We sent for a Dr he got out right away rush Dad to the hospital. They release him Wed about 11 oclock. We stayed at Guy. Untill Sat. He had to go back Sat-morning for a checkup Dr said he was able to make the trip back home. And Im telling you that was the best words I ever heard. I tryed to get him to a Dr all day yesterday. I finaly got him to a Dr this after noon Dad is getting fine at this time We found a Dr that new all about hart and hi blood presure. When we call Dr at Guy his presure was 25. He can use his hand some and he can walk but kinely drag his right foot as he walk Dr told us in 30 or maybe 60 days he would be all right and back to work again." Tom had more strokes and although he was unable to speak clearly and communicate well with his grandchildren, he still was able to beat them in a game of "penny poker". He never lost his ability to laugh with them or at a good joke. Stella spent many years caring for him in their home until finally due to her own failing strength, she had to put him in a nursing home. He passed away on May 12, 1972 in San Jose, Santa Clara, California. He was buried in the Oak Hill Memorial Park on May 15, 1972. (Biography written by granddaughter Lorraine)

Photos

Family

Parents

Spouse

Siblings

Children

Export GEDCOM

This person only · Entire connected family