Obituary – Reverend William Bryant Phillips

Reverend William Bryant Phillips aged 98, lived a long spiritual life and entered eternal rest with his Lord on Thursday August 21, 2025, at 5:00 PM at the Highland Point skilled nursing facility, Highland Heights Ohio. Born on June 13, 1927, in Harrisburg, PA, he was the eldest of three children from the union of Mamie Singleton Phillips and Samuel Phillips both deceased. He was raised in Milledgeville, Georgia, and educated in the Baldwin County school district. He has several siblings from his parents’ other marriages who reside across the U.S.

On June 13, 1948, he enlisted in the Coast Guard, serving honorably until June 11,1951. During the Korean War, he served on the Antarctic Expedition, operation High Jump, aboard the icebreaker Northwind, with Rear Admiral Richard Byrd.

After his military service, he returned to Cleveland Ohio and began his ministry and family life. He married Mary Ellen Wesly of Valdosta Georgia, in October 1952. They purchased a house on Hampton Ave; they later purchased an apartment building on Lexington Ave and then resided on Ingomar Ave as their family grew. He remained deeply committed to his faith, while working at TRW Inc.  After his first wife Mary Wesley Phillips passed in 1991, he continued his ministry and was assigned to pastor in Canton Ohio where he met and married Nazamovia Adams of Canton Ohio on April 15, 1994. After many years of dedicated ministry, he retired from pastoring due to declining health and eyesight. In his later years he resided at the Waterford assisted senior facility and transferred to Highland Point skilled nursing facility shortly before his death.

William studied the ministry, become a pastor in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and served in multiple congregations as pastor and assistant pastor. His career included roles at local Country Clubs, Sherwin Party Center, Bobbie Brooks Inc., and ultimately, TRW Inc., in Cleveland Ohio from where he retired in 1982.

He enjoyed reading scripture, preaching, and serving the church community. He was a devoted family man and known for his tireless visits to church members, and the sick. He was attentive to the needs and concerns of family and friends and officiated many weddings for loved ones. He also liked keeping his lawn immaculate, often seen gathering every fallen leaf.

He was proceeded in death by his parents Mamie Singleton Phillips Davis, Samuel Phillips, his first wife Mary Ellen Wesley Phillips, siblings Cathrine Prevo (Pedro) of OH, Mary Louise Prevo (Ollie) of OH, John Davis Jr. (Dorothy) of OH, Patricia McCollugh of OH, Loretta Harmon (Lee) of OH, Elizabeth Harris (Elijah) of OH, Melvin Phillips (Gwendolyn) of MD, Margaret Palmer (David) of NY, Stepson Carl Adams of OH.  He leaves to mourn his passing his wife Nazamovia Adams Phillips of Canton, children Mable Sargent (John), William B. Phillips Jr. (Dorothy), Leonard, and Ronald all of OH, step children Marcia Adams of GA, Ameila Adams of OH, Eric Adams (Dorinda) of TX, Margaret Adams of OH, Cara Harris (Robert) of OH, Ernest Adams (Geoff) of MI,  Sibling Luke Davis, Barbara Aden (Rev. Benjamin), Yvonne Jackson (John) all of OH, Samuel Phillips (Elaine) of TX, many nieces, nephews, cousins, church members, and friends.

Visitation:

Friday September 5, 2025 at Calhoun Funeral Home at 2300 Rockside Rd. Bedford Heights OH 44146

Public 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Funeral Service:

Saturday September 6, 2025 at Calhoun Funeral Home at 2300 Rockside Rd. Bedford Heights OH 44146

Viewing 9:30 AM Service 10:00 AM

Internment at Lakeview Cemetery 12316 Euclid Ave. Cleveland Ohio 44106.

Repass:

Mt Hermon Good Samaritan Foundation

7401 Woodland Ave. Cleveland, OH 44104