Peacefully and surrounded by his children and grandchildren, William "Ronnie" Phillips of Denton, TX, passed away on April 14, 2023 in Katy, Texas. He was 73.

Ronnie a.k.a. "Ronzo" was born September 21,1949 in Deport, TX. He graduated from Princeton High School in 1968 and was drafted into the United States Army on July 3, 1969. He attended basic training at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas with follow on training at Fort Ord in Monterrey, California for Advanced Infantry Training. He was then assigned to the 5th Infantry Division in Vietnam where he patrolled the DMZ as a M60 Gunner. While in Vietnam, he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star medal. Ronnie was honorably discharged on March 31, 1971.  Upon his return from Vietnam, Ronnie attended 2 years of academics at Eastfield Junior College.

In 1976, Ronnie married his former spouse, and had 4 children – Brandy, Jennifer, Aaron and Bryan Phillips. In 1994, he married Kayla Ann Long, and had 2 children – Reed and Erik Phillips.  After retiring as a Manager and Master Meat Cutter for Minyard Food Stores, he began working for Denton ISD in 2000 as the Stadium Manager for Denton High School – a job he never considered "work" because he enjoyed the coaching staff, students, and families so much. He retired from Denton ISD in 2015 at the age of 66.

Ronnie loved high school football, college football, music, traveling, and just about anything to do with guns especially hunting, and target, skeet, and trap shooting. He also held a special place in his heart for all animals.

Ronnie is survived by his 6 children; Brandy Williams of Katy, TX; Jennifer Reyes of Katy, TX; Aaron (Nancy) Phillips of Katy, TX; Bryan (Jeri) Phillips of Chesapeake, VA; Reed Phillips of Denton, TX; Erik Phillips of Denton, TX; his sister, Beatrice Johnson of Denton, TX; 10 grandchildren – Alexis, Brianna, Braden, Christian, Reagan, Landon, Brooks, Brixton, Madeline, and Leilani; many nieces and nephews, and his cherished blue heeler, Ladybug. Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, William Roscoe Phillips and Bessie Lee (Newman) Phillips; his sister, Connie Lee (Phillips) Bell, and his beloved wife, Kayla Ann (Long) Phillips.

Visitation will be held at DeBerry Funeral Home in Denton, TX on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 from 5PM to 7PM. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 11AM at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton, TX. Attendees are asked to gather at the DeBerry Funeral Home at 10AM where the family will begin the procession to the gravesite.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Atkinson, Patrick Coleman, Fred Grindle, Matt Lawrence, Tim Morrison and Del Scales.