Wally Phillips

Wally Phillips, Bob Collins, Harry Carey ... they got me through measles (Harry was doing the Cardinals, then), babies, blizzards, and divorce. I miss them all.

Wally was the epitome of a great radio broadcaster. I was in the business for 12 years. I admired Wally. Part of my career was at WGN Radio.

I was on one of his dance shows and won a prize For best jitterbuger. I will never froget Him. Bill Isaacson

We all go back together. I began listening to Wally Phillips in grade school. He was different from all the jocks on the radio of the day. The very first thing I ever sent to the radio for was a membership in the Coca-Cola Club. It was a big deal to get a membership card from Wally Phillips. One of his things was to broadcast all the famous personalities that were having a birthday that day. My collection today has about 25,000 people...and it all began with him. I will always miss him.

Iwas a fellow-radio guest on Walt's shows on WLW in 1953&1954; I called him at WGN,while in town, Jan
1975;he seemed to remember me,&
I'll never forget Wally. My sincere condolences to his family.

I remember first listening to Wally in Jan of 1960. He had a radio show from 8 to 10 PM on WGN. I was in 8th grade at Goodrich grade school in Lisle, IL at the time. A classmate,Ted Meiling, told me about the radio show that Wally had at night. So I tuned in the day Ted told me about the show. Ted said Wally was funny, had great sound affects and good music. Wally also talked about timely topics. I was hooked after the first night of listening to the show. I listened every night after...

Wally Who? as Bob Collins would kid Wally on the air is one who has influenced my life more than I ever realized. Wally woke me up, sent me off to school and work when I lived in Chicago. He always amazed me with his ability to solve a caller's problem or query. His concern for children is attested to by the Neediest Children Program he founded. People ask me where I get my concern for children, and my answer is just two words "WALLY PHILLIPS." He never admitted the vast knowledge he had, but...

I am a friend of both Barbara and Wally Phillips. I spent most summers in my early years in their home with Barbara, Wally, Holly, Jennifer, and Todd. My mother, Peggy Kole, went to Katherine Gibbs school in New York with Barbara. Please accept my most sincere condolences. You, Wally, and your entire family are in our prayers. Love you.

Chicago will miss Wally Phillips. I turned on WGN Radio in the house and listened to Wally while driving to work, every day. Wally had a special way of relating, he was never impolite, he loved people and loved his work. His voice was so comforting. Wally Phillips was a special friend to victims of drunken drivers and provided me, a crusader against DUI, with his private phone number in the WGN Radio studios. Whenever a DUI crash occurred in Chicago, I would call that phone number and...