FAYETTEVILLE — Samuel Phil Wilson,

99, died at Butterfield Trail Village in Fayetteville, Ark., on February 15, 2023. Phil was born in Highland, Ark., on December 4, 1923, to Hiram and Bess Wilson. He had two older brothers, Ralph and Wayne, and a younger sister, Carolyn. The family moved to Nashville, Ark., when Phil was in nineth grade, and he graduated from high school there.

He worked for First National Bank before joining the Army Air Corps. He was a navigator on a B-17 during World War II. He flew over 50 missions. After the war he went to the University of Arkansas and graduated in 1949. He was an active member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He spent his entire career working for IBM, first in Little Rock and then in Oklahoma City.

He married Virginia Kerr on July 1, 1950. They had two children, Sue Ellen and John. He was active in the First Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City serving as an elder, deacon, and trustee. They retired to Fayetteville in 1988.

Phil is survived by his wife, Virginia, of the home, son, John (Sarah) of Independence, Kan., son-in-law Larry Ward of Fayetteville, sister, Carolyn Ellis of Nashville, three grandchildren, Michael Ward (Tara), Sam and Emily Wilson, and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, and daughter, Sue Ellen.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 23, at 1 p.m. at First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, Ark. Memorials are suggested to First United Presbyterian Church or the Salvation Army.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com.