Ray Phillips

Clifford Ray Phillips, 79, of Gray, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2026. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026, at Hart’s Mortuary, Jones County Chapel, with Reverend Parker Agnew officiating. The family will greet friends following the service. A private burial will be held at a later date at Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Milledgeville.

Born on June 7, 1947, in Irwinton, Georgia, Ray was the son of the late Joseph Weldon Phillips, Sr. and Nina Mae Underwood Phillips. He was a graduate of Wilkinson County High School.

Ray proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, he worked for 36 years with Engelhard Minerals/BASF as a laboratory technician in the Research and Development Department.

He was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church in Macon. Ray loved watching the Georgia Bulldogs and the Atlanta Braves, and he especially enjoyed working in his yard. He was known for his great sense of humor and always enjoyed making people laugh.

Ray is survived by his wife, Gloria Phillips of Gray; six children: David Williams (Jan) of Macon, Georgia, Ted Williams of Macon, Jim Williams (Tammy) of Gray, Chad Phillips (Terri McNeill) of Gray, Derek Phillips (Susan) of Milledgeville, Georgia, and Rachel Phillips-Jackson of Macon; grandchildren: Matthew  Chris Williams (Shanna), Brandon Williams, Dylan Williams (Ashley), Chad Michael Phillips, Jr. (Casey), Nicolas McNeill, Ryan Phillips, Adam Books, Ethan Brooks, Rachel Brooks and Macy Fletcher; twelve great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his grandson, Caden McNeill, great granddaughter, Madalee Williams, as well as his nine siblings. 

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s Jones County Chapel, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 307 Pecan Lane, Gray, GA 31032 has charge of the arrangements.