Obituary of Neubert Clayton Phillips

Neubert Clayton Phillips

Neubert Clayton Phillips, 88, passed away peacefully on the morning of July 5, 2023, in Morgantown, WV.  Born July 2, 1935, in Nemours, Mercer County, WV, and raised near Bluewell, WV, Clayton was the oldest son of Neubert Johnson and Edith Mary (Butt) Phillips. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his younger brother Robert Madison Phillips.

He graduated from Bluefield High School (1953), attended Boys State, was awarded the Golden Horseshoe, and was the first in his family to attend college. He attended Bluefield State College (1953-55) and graduated in 1957 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. For his academic achievements and personal and professional commitment to integrity, he was invited and became member of Tau Beta Pi, the oldest engineering honor society and the second oldest collegiate honor society in the United States. He served as a Civil Engineer in the U. S. Army for two years in the far east division in Korea, and four years in the United States Army Reserve. He went on to work and support communications for the United States for over 35 years as a Civil Engineer for Verizon (formerly C & P Telephone Company and Bell Atlantic). Clayton was a Professional Engineer and member of both the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers, serving as both WV treasurer and WV delegate to the national convention.

Clayton met Beulah Mae Perry of Buckhannon through one of his best friends from Church, the late John Bennett. On March 25, 1959, he and Beulah married and made their home in Charleston, WV where she worked as a Registered Nurse. They raised their four sons, Geoff, Ed, Mike, and David to be Christians and were members of Charleston Baptist Temple. Through the years the family went on many camping and fishing trips all over WV, the eastern United States and Canada. He loved the outdoors and made sure all nine of his grandchildren received their first fishing pole from their PapPap. Along the way he taught his sons how to be men and survive just about anything by improvising, adapting, and overcoming as faithful followers of Christ Jesus. He also made sure each received a college education.

After he and Beulah both retired, they made their home on a farm in Buckhannon, WV. They enjoyed the country setting and loved family visits – especially during the holidays. In 2020, they moved to Morgantown to be closer to family.

Clayton is survived by his wife of 64 years, Beulah, his sons, Geoffrey (Lynn) of Monroeville, PA; Edward (Jan) of Morgantown, WV; Michael (Jo) of Ripley, WV; and David of Westminster, MD. He was a loving PapPap to his grandchildren Joshua, Nathan (Ashley), Lilly, Carley, Solomon, Foster, Bennett, Garrison, and Anderson Phillips.

He is also survived by brother Richard Anderson Phillips, of Montpelier, VA; his sisters-in-law Celia Tenney, Wilma Nienke, Evelyn (Pat) Gower and Jane Phillips; brother-in-law, Wayne Perry; dear friends Curt and Pat Caldwell, and Betty Bennett (wife of John); as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family welcomes friends on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home, in Buckhannon, WV. A service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday July 27, 2023, at 11:00 am, and a brief burial service with military honors at Mt. Union Church Cemetery on Kedron Road, Buckhannon, WV.   

Immediately following the burial service, family and friends are invited to celebrate Clayton’s life with food and fellowship at the First Baptist Church of Buckhanon, WV.  The Upshur County Honor Guard will conduct Military Honors.

He loved the outdoors (especially birds and trees), and valued education highly, so in lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to any of the following the Audubon Society or the Arbor Day Foundation or Bluefield State University. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com.  Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.