Elsie Phillips

Resident of Liberty, MO

Age 90, died June 18, 2011 at Liberty Hospital, Liberty MO.Born the youngest of four children in Havelok NE on August 3, 1920, Els (as she liked to be called) was a first generation American and proud of her German/ Russian heritage. The family moved to Sedalia MO where Elsie graduated from Smith-Cotton HS and then the Sedalia Business School. She worked for the phone company for a short time before moving to Kansas City where she accepted a job in 1942 and started what was to be her life-long career with TWA. One of her staff turned out to be her future husband, William Phillips, a decorated WWII veteran. They moved to San Mateo CA where Elsie was manager of the TWA Credit Union at the San Francisco International Airport. It was there where she met Howard Hughes several times, commenting to her family what an interesting person he was. Bill and Elsie traveled the world together until his death in 1987. Els was a long-time member of the Congregational Church of San Mateo and for many years, an active member of the TWA Seniors Club. She loved to swim and was still walking three miles a day into her mid eighties.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Anastasia Wertz and a brother Richard Wertz. She is survived by a sister, Louise Ramsey 99 of Auburn AL, brother Fred Wertz 97 (and wife Maxine) of Sedalia MO and many loving nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is planned for October 22nd in Sedalia to coincide with the 75th Wedding Anniversary of Fred and Maxine Wertz. (www.mcgilleyantiochchapel.com)