William D. Phillips

1938 - 2024

William D. "Denny" Phillips, a lifelong Washington resident, died at home surrounded by his loving family on Monday, August 19, 2024, after a courageous battle with recently diagnosed cancer. Denny was born on March 8, 1938, a son of the late Anastasia McCartan Phillips and William John Phillips. He graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in 1955, and from Washington and Jefferson College in 1959, where he enlisted in the ROTC program. He obtained his Juris Doctor from Duquesne University School of Law in 1962. After obtaining his law degree, he served in the Seventh Army as the Company Commander of the 39th Transportation Company. Some of his fondest memories are from the Officer's Club in Stuttgart, Germany, where he was stationed for two years, and where he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. Upon his return to Washington, he served as an Assistant District Attorney of Washington County. It was in the courtroom where he met the court reporter who would become the love of his life, Sandra Faldowski Phillips, to whom he would have been married 58 years next month. In 1978, he co-founded the law firm Phillips and Faldowski PC with his brother-in-law Damon Faldowski, and he worked at the firm (now Phillips, Phillips & Smith-Delach, PC) until his death. He was a highly respected, formidable, and decorated trial attorney. He was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an honor reserved to only the most skilled and experienced trial attorneys in America. He was also a founding member of the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Southwestern Pennsylvania. He was a past recipient of the Robert Ceisler Professionalism Award from the Washington County Bar Association, which recognizes those who serve the highest ideals of professionalism and collegiality in the legal profession. Sandy and Denny had three children, William John Phillips of Washington, Dennis Griffith Phillips (Samantha Molinaro) of Washington, and Laura Duncan Phillips (Bryan Mills) of Thornburg. Denny became a grandfather at the age of 81, and his two grandchildren William Mills (5) and Juliet Phillips (4) were the light and joy of his life. Even in the last days of his life, he enjoyed watching them play and tear apart the playroom. He is also survived by his sisters Ellen (late Roger J.) Gaydos of McDonald, and Cathie (Leon) Pappa of Alexandria, Va. He was a proud uncle to many nieces and nephews with whom he maintained close relationships, as well as with his many cousins and other lifelong friends. Denny most enjoyed spending time with his family, including trips with his sons to Osh Kosh for the air show, spending time with his wife in Sarasota, and daily work debriefings at the Union Grill with his daughter. He was an avid World War II amateur historian and was a devotee of all things Winston Churchill. He was an accomplished pilot, and he enjoyed golfing, building model airplanes, and reading. He will perhaps be most fondly remembered for his many WDP-isms, including but not limited to "at ease," "if I were any better, I wouldn't know what to do with myself," "it's good to be seen, as opposed to viewed." On that note, friends and family will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, August 23, 2024, in the Warco-Falvo Funeral Home, Inc., Wilson at E. Katherine Ave., Washington, S. Timothy Warco, Owner/Supervisor, S. Timothy Warco II, Director, Holly Renay Warco, Director. A prayer service will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2024, in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Church, St. James Parish, 119 W. Chestnut Street, Washington, PA with the Rev. Mike Zavage as celebrant. Burial will be private in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville, PA. Full Military Rites will be accorded by the American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post #175 and the United States Army. If desired, charitable contributions may be made to the Washington County Bar Foundation. Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com