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Phillips C. Hall
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PHILLIPS HALL (OL' PHIL) 1931-2023
Ol' Phil never met a stranger. His contagious personality endeared him to people all over the world. He engaged with strangers every day and loved discovering their stories. He found common ground with everyone and formed a bond of love with all, right through to his final days. That was one of his many special gifts.
His late-stage, lung cancer diagnosis in 2022, came as a total surprise to Ol' Phil and all who knew him…Phil’s disciplined, healthy lifestyle, kept him from ever smoking.
Born in 1931, in Tulsa, OK, to George Carver and Mary Bluford Hall, Phil was the eldest of two sons. Phil earned a BS in Petroleum Engineering from Tulsa University, where he was an active member of KA fraternity and ROTC, and later a Master’s Degree in Petroleum Reservoir Engineering from Texas A&M.
Phil proudly and honorably served overseas as Captain in the Air Force, during which time he married Karol Jean Welsh of Tulsa. Two years later, the couple welcomed the first of three children. Post discharge, the family returned to Oklahoma.
In the mid 1950’s, Phil began his successful, 40-year career in petroleum exploration, primarily with Exxon. His work assignments relocated the family all over the US and the world, including Libya, Australia, England, New York and Houston.
Following retiring to Sun City West, the couple parted ways. Phil continued to enjoy his retirement and the community, playing golf, working out at the gym, singing at Karaoke and in the church choir, playing softball, volunteering for The Prides, and hiking the desert hills with friends.
In 2006, Phil relocated to Springfield, MO, where he married Barbara Cook Hall and quickly immersed himself in life in the Midwest with extended family and friends, church, lake house respites, symphony, opera and MSU Lady Bears Basketball. It was during this time that Phil coined his commonly repeated phrase “Life isn’t just good-It’s Great”.
Phil is survived by his wife, his three children and their spouses, his five grandchildren, and his extended family. Services were held in Springfield, Missouri on September 6.
Online condolences can be left at gormanscharpf.com
