Wesley Phillips

Wesley H. Phillips, 74, of Herington, KS, passed away on April 2, 2026, after over ten years of battling cancer. He was born on November 6, 1951, at Hospital Nobo in Oranjestad, Aruba. He was the second son of Vernon E. and Betty L. McKee Phillips, and is preceded in death by his parents and younger sister, Maureen Phillips.‍

Wes spent the first few years of his childhood in San Nicholaas Aruba, playing alongside his older brother Edmond with his father working for Arend Petroleum Company at Eagle and his mother caring for the family at home. After the untimely death of his father Vernon in 1953 at the age of 38, his mother Betty relocated the family to Abilene, KS before settling in Herington, KS where he grew up.

Wes attended Herington High School and took special interest in basketball, football and baseball. He was very popular with his classmates and known for his easygoing nature and sense of humor. Following graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country for four years, including one tour of duty in the Vietnam war. After discharge from his service, Wes went to work for the Federal Aviation Administration as an Air Traffic Controller at the Topeka Regional Airport in Topeka, KS. He later relocated to Wichita where he was based at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport until retiring in 2000. He moved to his late mother Betty's home in Herington, KS.

‍He enjoyed traveling with his brother Eddie on annual fishing trips to Alaska, where they would catch lots of salmon, clean and transport them back home. There were many other memorable fishing trips with Eddie and friends in Canada, Minnesota, Iowa, and many regional lakes across Kansas and Missouri. Wes was talented with smoking and preserving his Alaskan caught salmon and venison jerky from hunting trips.

Wes deeply loved his canine companions and was never without the company of his German Shepherd Mike, German Shepherd/Black Lab King, German Shorthaired Pointer Star, Blue Heeler Chloe, and Border Collie Sally.

He spent many summer weekends camping, grilling, and spending time with friends and family. He also enjoyed many pastimes as an avid KU basketball fan.

He was a devoted son, brother, and friend.

He was very active and cherished in the lives of his three nieces and attended seasonal celebrations, holidays, birthdays, recitals, graduations, first communions, sport competitions and all other family gatherings.

He is survived by his brother Edmond (Geraldine) Phillips of Lecompton, KS, Emily (fiancé Joel Brasel) of Kansas City, MO, Christine (husband Robert Reeves) of Lawrence, KS, and Danielle (husband Jonathan Ross) of Maple Hill, KS, great nephew Byron Ross, and great nieces Brinlee Ross and Bailee Ross.

Services will be held with visitation from 5-8pm on Friday, April 17th at Yazel-Megli Funeral Home in Herington, KS and at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Herington, KS on Saturday, April 18th at 10am with graveside burial service following.