Courtesy Stancil Family Reunion Archive
Phillip Anthony Stancil, a beloved son, brother, husband, and father, was born on April 2, 1951. He was the third of five children born to James "Jimmy" Harding Stancil and Flo Wood Stancil. His siblings included Anne Stancil, James Harding Stancil, David Michael Stancil, and Daniel "Danny" Stuart Stancil.
Phillip dedicated a significant portion of his early life to service, joining the United States Navy in 1969. He served as a cook on the USS Sierra for seven years before being honorably discharged in 1976.
Courtesy Stancil Family Reunion Archive
On December 20, 1975, Phillip married Karen Lynn Lawrence in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Together, they welcomed two children into their lives: Laramie Jo Stancil and Meghan Elizabeth Stancil. Later in life, Phillip found love again and married Sandra Lee Chandler on February 25, 2006.
Phillip Anthony Stancil passed away at the age of 56 on July 5, 2007, in Bradley, Tennessee. He rests at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, a place of honor for those who have served their country.
A Father's Tribute
Ode to My Son Phillip Anthony Stancil:
God looked around his garden
And he found an empty place.
He then looked down upon this earth,
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful;
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering,
He knew you were in pain,
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
He saw that the road was getting rough
And the hills are hard to climb,
So he closed your weary eyelids,
And whispered "Peace be Thine."
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn't go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.