Colonel Phillips resided in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, at the time of his passing. He graduated from Jasper High School and briefly served in the Arkansas National Guard. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Arkansas Tech University and a Master's Degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Additionally, he was an alumnus of the U.S. Army War College.

As a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army, he served in Korea and participated in four campaigns during the Vietnam War. His distinguished military career earned him numerous accolades, including the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross (twice), Bronze Star, Legion of Merit (twice), Master Army Aviator, Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (Vietnam), Air Medal (18 times), National Defense Service Medal, and the Medalha da Pacificadora from the Brazilian government.

Colonel Phillips is survived by his wife, Toni, and their sons: Gregory Stephen Phillips, husband of Caroline and father of Savannah Phillips-Smith; Geoffrey Scott Phillips, husband of Barbara and father of Alyssa Phillips. Both sons attended prestigious military academies, with Greg graduating from the Military Academy at West Point and Geoff from the Air Force Academy.