Philip Vernon Prillaman

Philip Prillaman Obituary

Philip Vernon Prillaman, 75, of Hunting Ridge Road, Martinsville, went home to be with the Lord February 12, 2009. A celebration of his life and a memorial service will be held Monday, February 16, 2009 at Fort Trial Baptist Church at 1 p.m. with Dr. Joey McNeill officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Burial Park. He was born June 23, 1933, to the late Vance and Etta Richardson Prillaman. For 22 years, he was married to Ruby Amos (Meyers). Their children are Philip Dean Prillaman, of Martinsville and Karen Prillaman Shelton, of Summerfield, N.C. Philip later married the late Naomi Hall. His love for and devotion to Naomi were obvious throughout their marriage of 30 years, but never more evident that in the months prior to her death in June 2008. During the holiday season 2008, Philip and Ruby began a new relationship and were becoming inseparable companions.
Philip was preceded in death by his brothers, Abner Prillaman and Richard A. Prillaman and a sister, Madgie Kinney. Surviving are his brother, H. Arnold Prillaman; his sisters, Viola Dyer, Lois Dyer, Martha Myers, of Rocky Mount, Va. and Brenda Purvis, of Asheville, N.C.; his children, Karen Prillaman Shelton, of Summerfield, N.C. and Philip Dean Prillaman; two grandsons, who meant the world to him, Derrick Allen Shelton, of Summerfield, N.C. and Jacob Dean Prillaman; and Ruby Amos Prillaman Meyers.
In 1952, Philip graduated from Bassett High School and went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. During this time, he received several design awards for mechanical devices used on the B36s. Throughout his life, he was a patriot--proud of his service to our country. He joined Prillaman & Pace, Inc. in 1957, an organization founded by his older brothers, the late Richard A. Prillaman and H. Arnold Prillaman, with Edwin E. Pace. During his 51 year tenure at Prillaman & Pace, he filled many different roles--most recently succeeding his late brother, Richard A. Prillaman ,as President and then Chairman of the Board.
Philip, a lifelong resident of Henry County, became a member of Fort Trial Baptist Church in the 1940s. He also was a member of National Utility Contractors Association (NUCCA), in which he served as president of the S. W. VA. NUCCA Chapter and Associated General Contractors (AGC).
Family members will receive friends on Sunday evening, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Norris Funeral Services and following the funeral services, at the home of Ruby Meyers, 630 Kings Way Road, Martinsville, Va.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fort Trial Baptist Church, 170 Oak Level Road, Stanleytown, VA 24168 or to the Bluegrass Music Fund of the Martinsville and Henry County Lions Club, c/o Eddie Fields, 82 Ramona Drive, Ridgeway, VA 24148.
Norris Funeral Services, Inc. and Crematory, Martinsville, Va. is serving the Prillaman family.
Online condolences may be made at www.norrisfuneral.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Roanoke Times on Feb. 15, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Philip Prillaman

1 Entry

Sabrina, Dominick & Toni Greco

February 15, 2009

Philip,
You were the sunshine in so many lives. You're smiling face brought all of us so much joy. We love you and miss you so much. Our lives will always be enriched by your time with us. To your family our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2009