Robert “Bobby” Lee Phillips III, age 62, passed away on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at Golden Valley Hospital in Clinton, Missouri. He was born on October 3, 1962, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Robert Lee Phillips, Sr. and Maria Eva Chavez. Bobby grew up in Independence, Missouri, and attended William Chrisman High School.
In 1981, Bobby married the love of his life, Debbie Lee, and together they made their home at Lake of the Ozarks. After ten wonderful years at the lake, they moved to Climax Springs in 1994, where they raised their family. Bobby and Debbie were blessed with four beautiful children.
Bobby began his career in construction, where he discovered a love for the electrical field that soon became his life long passion. In 2002, Bobby and Debbie opened Tri-Lakes Electric, a business that served and blessed their community until just last year.
Bobby loved life and the outdoors—especially hunting and fishing with his grandsons—and he took great pride in his electrical work. A history and music scholar, he never stopped learning. He read often and was affectionately known as a “walking encyclopedia.” A devoted Kansas City Chiefs fan, Bobby believed everything stopped when his team was playing. Bobby's personality was larger than life and he never knew a stranger.
Though he had many interests, Bobby’s greatest pride and joy was his family. He cherished his role as a husband, father, and grandfather above all else. He poured his heart into his loved ones, and the legacy of love and life lessons he leaves behind will live on through them.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Maria Chavez, Robert Sr. and Jeanette Phillips; four brothers, Christopher Phillips, Robert Lee Phillips II, Ronnie Mclellan, Norman Lacomb; and one brother-in-law, Bobby Colin.
He is survived by his loving wife, Debbie, of the home; and his children: Amber Dawn Gilleylen and her husband Donte of St. Louis, Missouri; Robert Lee Phillips IV of Climax Springs, Missouri; Brandi Marie Phillips-Moorhead and her husband Micah of Greenview, Missouri; and Ashley Lynn Morgan and her husband William of Montreal, Missouri.
Bobby also leaves behind ten grandchildren: Seth Robert Phillips, Malachi Phillips-Gilleylen, Montaya Phillips, Makenah Phillips, Kaitlyn Phillips, Devlyn Phillips, Mackenzie Moorhead, Elijah Moorhead, Olivia Mitchell and Collin Mitchell.
He is also survived by nine siblings: Mark Phillips and his wife Penny of Climax Springs, Missouri; Matthew Phillips and his wife Shawna of Climax Springs, Missouri; Robin Colin of Orange, California; Wakita Yount and her husband Richie of Camdenton, Missouri; Lori Carnahan and her husband Danny of Camdenton, Missouri; Russell Gaddy and Michelle of Anaheim, California; Amy Phillips and her husband Anthony Hinrichs of Clinton, Missouri, Robert Mclellan of Nebraska and Mary Cann and husband Steve Independence Missouri —as well as many other dear relatives, extended family members, and cherished friends.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Ozark Bethel Chapel in Roach, Missouri. Visitation will be held one hour prior, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at the Phillips Family Cemetery in Climax Springs, Missouri.
Memorial donations may be made to Debbie Phillips through Great Southern Bank.
