William John Phillips

William John Phillips, 70, passed away on Sunday July 13th, 2025 after a long illness. He was born in Rutland, Vermont on March 23rd, 1955, to Roderick and Mary (Roberts) Phillips, where he grew up with 5 siblings and played multiple varsity sports at Rutland High. He went on to marry Cynthia Allen on March 30th, 1974.

In 1977, "Willy" became a Vermont State Trooper and was stationed in the Shaftsbury, VT barracks where he later trained to be a canine handler with his beloved police dog, Baron. He retired in 1988 due to a work injury and went on to open Minute Man Pizza with Cynthia. After its closing in 1933, he went on to work in various jobs in the food industry and later divorced.

He is survived by Cynthia Collett (married 43 yrs), daughter Jocelyn Hay (Bill), daughter Casandra Guetti (Tom), son Tisean Phillips (Matishaus), brother David Phillips (Maxine), and sisters Jo Anne LaDuke (Mike) and Mary Alice Phillips; grandchildren Quintessa Hay, Brenden Hay, Caleb Hay, Cheyenne Guetti, Jaiden Guetti, Taeya Guetti, Hudson Phillips, Legend Phillips, baby on the way Acelynn Phillips, his close friend Donna Barrett, and multiple nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by an infant daughter Deanna Phillips, his parents Roderick and Mary, brothers Joe Phillips and Rod Phillips.

There will be a remembrance and celebration of life on Friday August 29th from 4-6pm at the E.P. Mahar and Son Funeral Home in Bennington, Vermont, with a small family gathering to follow at another location.

Friends and relatives who wish, can make a donation to the Vermont Troopers Association to assist with various charities at vermonttroopers.com, the Vermont Police Canine Association at vtk9.com, or to any local animal shelters.