William “Buddy” Turpin Phillips III, 77, of Sawyerville died May 14 at Hale County Hospital in Greensboro. Born April 12, 1935 in Hale County to the late William Turpin Phillips Jr. and Ernes Mae Colvin Phillips, he is survived by his wife, Patsy Wilson Phillips, of Sawyerville, daughters Debra P. McKinley of Sawyerville, Sheila P. (Rickey) Langham of Greensboro, Terrie Collins of Northport and Sherri (Chris) Holmes of Moundville, sons William T. Phillips IV of Chipley, Fla., Keith (Lisa) Phillips of Sawyerville, Paul (Gwen) Phillips of Sawyerville, Mike (Stacy) Phillips of Hamilton, Miss. and Timothy (Melissa) Phillips of Sawyerville and a sister, Wilhelmina Heartsill of Sawyerville, as well as 25 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Phillips Cemetery in Sawyerville. Pallbearers included Dusty Phillips, Allen Phillips, Blake Langham, Keith Phillips Jr., Evan Phillips, Buddy Phillips and Paul Phillips Jr. Kirk Funeral Homes Greensboro Chapel directing.