Clarence Bruce Phillips

Clarence “Bruce” Phillips, son of C.H. “Red” and Mildred Phillips, passed away in his home on December 13, 2025. He spent his last night surrounded by his wife and stepchildren and knew that he was loved dearly.

Bruce was born on April 11, 1936, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He grew up with his parents and brother, Charlie, in Centralia, Illinois where he went to high school and junior college. He then went on to attend Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. During his youth he enjoyed participating in multiple sports and developed a life-long love of camping, fishing and golf.

He and Norma Bundy were married in Centralia. Although later divorced, this union brought their greatest joy, a daughter, Kim.

Bruce often talked about his early job at the Hollywood Candy Company in Centralia. He would tell stories that he enjoyed the benefits that came with working in a candy factory a bit too much! In 1960 he joined Illinois Bell Telephone and worked in Centralia and Salem, Illinois. Although Bruce only spent a short time in the oil field during his early working life, he had a lifelong admiration for the work his father did. In 1977 he transferred to Mountain Bell and joined his parents in Casper. He retired from Mountain Bell then operated his own business, “Phillips Communication Company”.

In 1988, he met and married Mary Anne Burridge. He not only gained a wife who loved him dearly and cared for him until his last breath, he also gained the love, respect, and affection of her four children.

After several years as a business owner, Bruce sold his company and was able to spend many happy years traveling and golfing with his wife, going fishing, golfing, and out to coffee with his buddies, hosting cookouts and doing yard work. One of Bruce’s greatest joys was celebrating any occasion in his home surrounded by his family. Even towards the very end, Bruce would often ask, “When’s the party?”

He was preceded in death by his brother, Charlie, his grandson, Jason Randolph, and his beloved dog, Molly.

He is survived by many who will miss him dearly, including his wife, Mary Anne, daughter, Kim (Greg), their son John (Vanessa), and stepchildren, Tim Burridge (Lisa), Colleen Burridge (Gene Collins), Lisa Kay Burridge, and Joe Burridge, their children and several great grandchildren.

Bruce will always be remembered as a loving, kind and generous husband, friend, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

A Celebration of Life will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, December 26, 2025 at Bustard's Funeral Home in the Reception Center.