Fallen Hero: Retired Lieutenant Colonel Donald W. Phillips

Canton, MS

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Funeral Home

Sebrell Funeral Home

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Obituary

Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:

Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.

In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.

Another great Airman and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on April 24, 2025 and has moved on to his heavenly home.  Retired Lieutenant Colonel Donald W. Phillips, age 85, who had served within the MSANG within the 172d Airlift Wing has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.  Phillips had been a C-121, C-124 and C-130 pilot.

It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country.  A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.

Rest in Peace Airman.  We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.

You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

Another great Airman has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Airman for Life”.

Obituary, Visitation, and Service details:

Donald W. Phillips was born March 8th, 1940, In Canton, MS to Freddie & Dora Jane Phillips. Don passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday, April 24th.

Don went to Holmes Jr. College in Goodman MS, Millsaps College for one year & graduated from Mississippi College in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. He later earned a Master of Science degree in community counseling from the University of Southern Miss in 1971. Don went on post-graduate study in psychiatric rehabilitation at the Georgia Mental Health Institute in Alanta, GA l, which was sponsored through Georgia State University.

In 1964, Don joined the MS Air National Guard and in June of 1965 he began USAF Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, TX. Upon completion of his pilot training, he returned to MS and served with the MS Air Nation Guard until 1987. He flew the Lockheed C-121 super constellation, the Douglas C-124, and the Lockheed C-130 (E & H models).

Don was qualified as an aircraft commander on the C-124 and the C-130. He flew many air lift missions to many parts of the world, including several missions during the Viet Nam conflict. He also served in the Air Guard as a Life Support Officer, a Base Operations Officer, and a Chief of Aircrew Training. Don’s aeronautical rating was Command Pilot.

Don worked for the Dept of Rehabilitation Services for 35 years. He served as a counselor, a supervisor of the DDS finance unit, the Director of Internal Audits, and a Program Evaluation Specialist.

Don became a Christian at the age of 12 years old at Center Terrace Baptist church in Canton, MS. He later became a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Madison, MS.

Don is survived by his wife, Sarah Sephton Phillips, his children, Jana Howell, Scott Phillips (Jen), Wayne Phillips, and his stepson,Danny Sephton (Cindy). His grandchildren are Patrick Howell, Laney Phillips, Sidney Phillips, and Kyle Sephton. His great-grandchildren are Leland Howell, Paxton Sephton, Ellie Sephton, Hyacinth Sephton, & Laken Phillips.