Philip Lester Borders

Philip Lester Borders, age 90, passed away on February 7, 2026, at Berman Commons Assisted Living Center in Dunwoody, Georgia.

Philip was born on July 25, 1935, in Bloomfield, Indiana, the son of Robert Borders and Edna Mae (Lester) Borders.

Phil married the love of his life, Wilma, in Greencastle, Indiana, in 1957. Together they made their home in New Castle, Indiana, where they lived from 1976 onward and became deeply rooted in the community.

He graduated from Wiley High School in Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1953. Phil earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana State University in Terre Haute and later completed his doctorate in administration, finance, and psychology from Indiana University in Bloomington.

Early in his career, Dr. Borders taught and coached for three years before serving as a building principal for five years. He then devoted twenty-five years as Superintendent of New Castle Community Schools, serving from 1976 to 1990. Following his tenure in public education, he joined Ball State University, where he served as Superintendent of University Schools and founding Director of the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities. He later became Supervisor of Administrative Internships and Executive Director of the Indiana Public Schools Study Council, retiring in 2001.

Phil and Wilma were very active in the New Castle community. He participated in and held leadership roles in numerous educational, business, civic, social, and service organizations at the local, state, and national levels, reflecting a lifelong commitment to public education and service.

Phil’s personal interests were wide-ranging. In retirement, he especially enjoyed traveling with his wife and grandsons throughout the United States and around the world. He often remarked that he preferred to treat every new experience as a learning opportunity and never attempted to compare one experience to another.

He is survived by his son, Andy Borders (wife Anne) of Atlanta, Georgia; two grandsons, Philip Borders (wife Kayce) of Cleveland, Ohio, and William Borders (wife Maggie) of Fort Wayne, Indiana; four great-grandchildren, Evelyne and Sienna of Cleveland, Ohio, and Arthur and Ruth of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and nephews Greg, Scott, and Mark Cotterman.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Wilma Borders; his parents, Robert and Edna Mae Borders; and his sister, Joanna Cotterman.

A private service will be held by the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hinsey-Brown Funeral Services, South Memorial Drive, New Castle, Indiana. Phil will be laid to rest at South Mound Cemetery, West Lawn Addition, New Castle, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Phil and Wilma Borders Named Fund on behalf of the Henry County Community Foundation, 700 South Memorial Drive, New Castle, Indiana 47361, or online at www.henrycountycf.org.

You may express condolences or share a memory of Phil Borders at www.Hinsey-Brown.com.