James Golden Phillips

Died on March 14, 2016 at the age of 86 after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Sheldon and Helen (Golden) Phillips; brothers William Sheldon and John (Jack) Dudley Phillips; and daughter-in-law, Antonia Kwong.

Jim is survived by his wife of 54 years, Kathleen (Katy) Hayes Phillips and their children:  James (Mary), Margaret (Tim Meyerring), Mary (Michael) Rasmussen and William Phillips.  Also by his much-loved grandchildren: Michael and Beatrice Rasmussen, Monroe and Irene Phillips; sister-in-law Eileen Hayes; nieces Kathleen (Kiki) Hayes, Beth (Ken) Rist; nephew Patrick Hayes, and cousins Linda (Andy) Viens and Susan (John) Robertson. He will be missed by many golfing buddies, men and women in the paper industry, Green Bay Packer fans.

Jim was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and spent the first ten years of his life in Wilmette, Illinois. After the death of his father, the family moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin where he attended St. Patrick’s Grade School, Central Catholic High School and St. Norbert Seminary and College. After serving four years (one in Korea) in the Air Force, Jim moved to Milwaukee where he attended and graduated from Spencerian Business College.

Jim had a 50 year career in the paper industry, starting as salesman for Bouer Paper Company and Reliable Paper and then at XPedX, where he served as President. Jim often said, “I never worked a day in my life.” And he meant that . . . always proud of being part of the paper industry, always enjoying the men and women he worked with.

Jim and Katy married in 1961. He was a loving husband and father. And so enjoyed being a grandfather, attending basketball and soccer games, tai kwon do tournaments, musical programs and plays.

Jim loved life . . . golf at Merrill Hills, Packer games, trips with his favorite planner and navigator, dancing, and his favorite chair in front of the fire. In the past two years, he found great comfort and joy in life at Eastcastle Place where he enjoyed the music, the programs, and the people.

Heartfelt thanks goes to the nurses, respiratory therapists and doctors at Columbia/St. Mary’s for their care and attention during the brief time Jim was there.

The family suggests donations to Memorial Sloane-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, and Evans Scholars Foundation, One Briar Road, Golf, IL, 60029.

A celebration of Jim’s life will take place on Friday, April 1 at the Feerick Funeral Home, 2025 E. Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, WI. Visitation is planned from 3:00 to 6:00 PM until the memorial service at 6:00 PM. A service for friends at Eastcastle Place is planned at the residence on Saturday, April 2 at 4:15 PM.


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