Robert "Bob", "Phil", "Baity" Phillips, Jr. was born on July 14, 1927 in Winston-Salem, NC to the late Lillian Minor Phillips and Robert W. Baity.  Bob was united in holy matrimony to Tonnie Hill Wilson on December 21, 1991.

Bob graduated from Atkins High School and upon graduation; he served in the U.S. Army, receiving an honorable discharge.  He is a graduate of Winston-Salem Teachers College, now Winston-Salem State University, where he ranked third in his graduating class, was a member of Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, served as President of his class four consecutive years, and President of the Student Government Association his junior and senior years. (Scholar)

Bob was initiated in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Mu Epsilon Chapter at Winston-Salem Teachers College in 1949.  He later became affiliated with Psi Phi Chapter, where he chaired many committees and received several awards (Cardinal Principles, Superior Service, Achievement, Manhood, Founders, Friendship, Director of Public Relations, Brother Clark S. Brown's Lifetime Achievement Award and Omega Man of the Year). He received his 60 ^th Year Service Award from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. at the 76 ^th International Grand Conclave in 2010. " Friendship is Essential to the Soul"

Bob began his career with Western Electric/AT&T in 1955 as an hourly graded employee, working his way through the ranks, retiring from AT&T Network Systems as the Management Employment and University Relations Manager in 1990.  During his career at AT&T, he coordinated the Western Electric Cluster/Industry program with 24 historically black colleges and universities, and received official recognition as the "Dean of Black Recruiting" from 1971-1977. At retirement, he was responsible for coordinating all college recruiting within the 25 Southern most states.  He will always be remembered at AT&T as the champion for fighting the company's discrimination practices, which resulted in greater opportunities for a more diverse population. Trail Blazer

Bob was a Life Member of the NAACP. Upon retiring, he volunteered as a tutor at the Best Choice Center, Housing Authority of Winston-Salem Tutorial Program, Latham Elementary School Assault on Illiteracy Program, where he received the "Most Effective Volunteer Award," and mentored in the James A. Rousseau, II Minority Male Mentoring Program at Forsyth Technical Community College. Giver

Bob was a proud, devoted and faithful member of New Light Missionary Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC. He maintained a decades-long relationship with Reverend Dr. Cardes H. Brown, Jr., Senior Pastor at New Light prior to joining the church. Believer

Bob was known for being a sharp dresser, very studious, quick-witted, a stickler for time, and one who spoke his mind. Astute

Bob loved entertaining his family and friends with their Fourth of July cookouts and Christmas Dinners. He considered his family a blended family; he would say he didn't have to be the biological parent to be a father and grandfather. He loved them all equally and he showed that love in everything he did. Bob especially loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren and bonded with each of them. Patriarch

Bob was preceded in death by his son, Michael W. Phillips; sister, Vera Phillips Gross; brothers, Osborne Phillips, Chester Phillips, Joseph Phillips and A. Thomas Baity. Left to cherish his memory are his loving, devoted wife, Tonnie Hill Wilson Phillips; five children, Cheryl P. Taylor, Renée L. Phillips, Andre (Vickie) Phillips, Regina (Earl) Cheek and Gregory (Melinda) Wilson; seven grandchildren, Mario (Sarah) Coleman, Justin (Tanya) Taylor, Lauren (Crandall) Small, Ana C. Rice, Gregory Wilson, II, William Wilson and McKenzie Wilson; three great grandchildren, Logan Coleman, Gavin Coleman and Kameron Wilson; Goddaughters, Audrey and Adriana Brown; sister, Barbara Blair; special sister-in-law, Dorothea Baity, and a host of other relatives and friends. Dearly Loved

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Monday, November 26, 2018 at New Light Missionary Baptist Church, 1105 Willow Road, Greensboro, NC 27401 with Rev. Dr. Cardes H. Brown, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 10:30am until 11:00am on Monday at the Church. The Omega Service of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Psi Phi Chapter will be held at 10:00am on Monday at the Church.