My beloved husband, Phil, went to be with Jesus Tuesday morning, November 12th, just before breakfast. He slipped away so peacefully right into the arms of the Savior he loved and served.

He served 3 years in the US Army as a Morse code operator.  After the service he became a salesman selling copy machines into school districts.

He loved freshwater fishing and fly fishing and was an avid hunter for turkey, pheasant and deer.

Phil accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at age 38 and received the infilling of the Holy Spirit. As in most churches today, the spiritual diet that was taught to him was predominantly milk—the milk of the Word which kept Phil an infant spiritually speaking. So therefore, he believed that being a Christian was primarily a ticket to Heaven.

Phil's life changed radically over the last 7 years spiritually. The change was in his spirit, his soul, and his body. Jesus became his first love as his spiritual diet changed from milk to meat—the meat of God's Word. Phil had true pastors now who loved him, taught him, nurtured him and held him and his church family accountable to the Truth of God's Word. They faithfully and obediently lived this Life out themselves by example and with transparency.

The Bible teaches that we are a 3-part being: spirit, soul, and body. Phil's spirit hungered and thirsted after righteousness—in short Jesus became Lord of his life. Jesus was now both Savior and Lord. As Phil learned that God is also all about saving our soul, too, (mind, will, emotions), he realized he needed much healing and deliverance, and severing of generational ties spiritually. It was here where Phil's Life in Jesus radiantly manifested.

Phil's physical body had many health difficulties in his 82 years that hindered his mobility, vision, and hearing. His prayer and desire was to be fully restored in this area. He knew and experienced through the Holy Spirit that "though our outward  man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

In his last few months, Phil chose contentment—to walk in the Spirit, to grow the Fruit of the Spirit in the good soil of his heart. He chose to believe God's thoughts towards him were good and higher than his, and God's ways towards him were good and higher than his. He chose to be content that God's plan for him was good, that all things do work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the Called according to His purpose. He chose to believe and then experienced God's truth that the Father's "lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage." Yes, Phil's "lot in life" was good. And that this heritage is not of this world. Phil experienced that the Joy of the Lord, was his Strength, and this Truth transcended any physical pain he endured.  "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."

"And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations." But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost… and Phil is now experiencing this eternal Truth: "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.

My beloved husband, Phil, became an Overcomer! My beloved Phil is now experiencing "The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory." Isaiah 60:19

Phil is survived by his loving wife, Miriam; his sister, Judy; many nieces and nephews; and his beloved New Wine Ministry church family.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. at Fayetteville National Cemetery, 1000 S Lt Col Leroy Pond Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72701.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory. On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.