Phil served in the military from February of 1959 to Dec. 18, 1959 during the Viet Nam War. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in York. He was united in marriage to Gayle Moomey on Feb. 3, 1956 in Denver, Colo. The union was blessed with two children, Thomas and Elizabeth.
Phil was a member of the York Masonic Lodge #56 A.F. & A.M., York Rite Chapter #33, Sesostris Shrine in Lincoln, Meridian Shrine Clowns, Nebraska Coaches Association, Blue Valley Amateur Radio Club, American Legion #19, Elks Lodge in York and the Modern Knights Motorcycle Club. He was a longtime York High School Guidance Counselor and coach. He loved working with young athletes, especially track and football.
Left to cherish his memory is his son, Thomas (Marsha) Towle of Pleasant Dale; daughter, Elizabeth “Betsy” (Ron) Winquest of York; brother, Wallace (Harriett) Towle of Hot Springs, Ark.; grandchildren, Trevor (Kristi) Towle of Utica, T.J. (Faith) Towle of Milford, Kyle (Raissa) Towle of Seward, Michael Winquest of York, Mallory (Alex) Bailey of Lincoln and Morgan Winquist of Lincoln.
Great-grandchildren include, Lilly Towle, Connor Towle and Hunter Towle, Griffin Towle, Beckett Towle, Emerson Towle, Scarlett Towle, Parker Friedrichsen and Jakson Christen. Also surviving are three cousins, Nancy Lenhart, Peggy Brumbaugh and Camile Norman; several nieces, nephews and special friends Dale and Ramona Cotner and beloved dog Maude.
Phil was preceded in death by his parents and former wife Gayle.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 23, 2016 at First United Methodist Church in York with the Reverend Art Phillips officiating. Interment with military honors will be in York’s Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-9 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday at the mortuary. The family will greet friends from 6:30 – 9 p.m. Friday evening at First United Methodist Church in York. Memorials may be directed to the York Public Schools Foundation.