Bernie "Gene" Phillips, who resided in Charleston, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, December 20, 2018, at his home. He was born August 27, 1927, in Newark, Arkansas, to the late William Thomas Phillips and Hazel Long Phillips. He was 91 years old. Gene was also preceded in death by five sisters, Geraldine Caden, Georgianna West, Sue McAfee, Van Bazile, and Patsy Knight; three brothers, Grisham Phillips, Robert Phillips and Max Phillips.

Gene was a retired Sergeant First Class U.S. Army World War II veteran, Korean War veteran and Vietnam War veteran. He also retired from the City of Fort Smith and was a cattle rancher. Gene loved farming, gardening, and was a big supporter of County Line School District and County Line Indians athletics. Gene was a member of Caulksville Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He served his country many many years. He defended and fought for his country. Gene Phillips loved his country.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 22nd, at Brotherton Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston, with the Rev. Bill Van Meter officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, located north of Caulksville, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.

He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Janice O'Neal Phillips; two step-daughters, Marjorie Rogers of Casper, Wyoming and Lisa Miller of Branch; a step-son, Mitchell Gardner of Batesville, Arkansas; six grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Eric Talbott, Jerry "Tudy" Loughridge, Mitchell Gardner, Chris O'Neal, Jeff O'Neal, Taylor Nietert, and the U.S. Army Honor Guard Team.

Honorary pallbearers will be the early morning round table coffee drinking buddies at Kats Kitchen in Charleston.

Public viewing will be from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. There will not be a family visitation.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask donations may be made to Mount Hope Cemetery Fund; c/o Jim O'Neal @ 11008 Turkey Knob Rd. Branch, AR  72928 or to Kersey Cemetery Fund; c/o Cherre Nietert @10201 Nietert Ln. Branch, AR  72928.

To pay an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.