Phil Gray McGill

McGILL Phil Gray McGill went to his Eternal Home on January 31, 2013 at the age of 68. He was born in Laurel, MS on May 8, 1944 to parents Horace and Myrtle McGill. He graduated from Vigor High School in 1962 and attended the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa before transferring to the University of South Alabama in Mobile to complete his Bachelors in Engineering in 1969. He was part of the first graduating class in engineering at USA. While working his way through college, he met the lovely lady he would later marry, Janelle Campbell. The two were married at Gulf Hills Baptist Church on October 25, 1969. Phil joined the Air Force after graduating college and served his country stationed at Patrick Air Force Base in Cape Canaveral, Florida. He achieved the rank of Captain during his tour from 1969 - 1974. As part of the 6555th Aerospace Group, he designed electrical components and systems for Department of Defense rocket missions and other classified US government agency programs. He was very passionate about the space program and loved the work he did on those missions. After the birth of his second child, Phil left the military to put his engineering skills to work for the civilian world, joining the Tennessee Valley Authority and moving to Knoxville, TN. For the next 30 years, he focused his career on power companies, such as Gulf States Utilities, and government-funded projects from the Department of Energy. He pursued advanced degrees in electrical engineering, earning his Masters in Systems Management in 1974 from the Florida Institute of Technology, and achieved numerous certifications in the fields of engineering and management. The latter part of his career he moved away from utilities somewhat and helped designed transport ships, hotels, and even casino boats. In 2005 he rejoined the Department of Defense and worked on the air force base at Warner Robbins, GA as a member of the 778th Civil Engineering Squadron. Although he moved to many cities throughout his career—Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Chattanooga, Mobile/Eastern Shore, and Warner Robbins—his heart was always in Mobile, and he had always planned to retire to his native city. Phil was a hard worker and always provided for his family, no matter what the sacrifice. His own father had instilled a strong work ethic into him, an ethic that he in turn instilled into each of his children. He was a man of integrity and strong moral fiber. He believed in honesty and fairness. And, he centered his life path on these Biblical principles found in the 10 Commandments and throughout the Old and New Testaments. He believed in the power of Our Lord and kept faith even in the face of sometimes crushing adversity. He is survived by Janelle his wife of 43 years, his son Brian Gray McGill, his two daughters Janna (Christian) Roulé and Cherie (Albert) Campbell, and his two grandchildren Aurora Grey Campbell and Cole Fletcher Campbell. Visitation for friends and family is on Wednesday, February 6, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home in Daphne. Funeral services will follow at 10:00 a.m. Graveside service will be held at Jubilee Memorial Gardens in Daphne. Flowers may be sent to Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home (Daphne), or memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 27409 U. S. HIGHWAY 98 DAPHNE, AL 36526