Richard W. Phillips, 83, of Sun City Center, FL passed away on Monday, July 25, 2016.

Born and raised in Pensacola, FL, son of Amenia and George Phillips, he attended Pensacola High School and the University of Florida, graduating with an Engineering degree. Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy as an aviator, rising to the rank of Captain before he retired. While in flight school, he met and married Britta Helene Fris, a Navy nurse.

During his 30-year Naval career, he received the Legion of Merit award and the Meritorious Service Medal. He also graduated from the Naval War College and received an MBA from George Washington University.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, George and Amenia Phillips.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Britta Helene; daughters, Linda Helene Woessner and husband, Steve of Fort Worth, TX, and Lynne Phillips Blackmore and husband, Geoff of Tulsa, OK; and 5 grandchildren, Phillip Steven Woessner and wife, Sarah, Lt. Laura Helene Woessner and fiancé, Lt. Jonathan Wright, Thomas Richard Woessner, Logan Phillips Blackmore and Chase Phillips Blackmore.

Visitation will be from 9:30–10:30 a.m. Monday, August 1, 2016 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, followed immediately by a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. with Ken Griffin (ret'd Navy Chaplain) officiating, then a procession to the graveside service at Barrancas National Cemetery at Naval Air Station Pensacola at 11:45am.

Active pallbearers will be Steve Woessner, Geoff Blackmore, Chase Blackmore, Thomas Woessner, Phillip Woessner and Jonathan Wright, with honorary pallbearers, Laura Woessner and Logan Blackmore.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola, 1750 Radford Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32508.

Please leave condolences online at harpermorrismemorialchapel.com