Stephen “Steve” Phillips, General Services Director, and longtime Montgomery County employee, died at Lewis Gale Medical Center on Wednesday, April 12, 2017.
“Steve’s quiet leadership, his immense knowledge of County operations, and his dedication to the County and our employees are irreplaceable. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they navigate this very sad and difficult time. Steve will be terribly missed by all,” said Craig Meadows, County Administrator.
Steve joined Montgomery County on July 1, 1979, as an electrician. In 1981, he was promoted to Building and Grounds Superintendent. Over the years, Steve held a variety of positions to include head of the Public Facilities Department, General Services Division Manager, and most recently General Services Division Director.
He was a beloved and valued colleague at the County whose pride and workmanship is evidenced in numerous County facilities and programs. Steve preferred to work quietly and diligently without seeking praise or accolade for his accomplishments. Instead, he let his work speak for itself while handling multiple, complex projects with focus, skill and determination.
Throughout his nearly 40 years of service as an employee, there is not one building in Montgomery County that Steve did not touch, to include personally making sure the placement of the peace sculpture, created by local artisans and courtesy of the Rotary Club, with debris from the World Trade Center was placed carefully and predominately in front of the Montgomery County Government Center in November of 2006.
He also managed the courthouse eagle restoration project in 2015. Steve ensured the historic eagle sculpture landmark, which is over 100 years old and first found its home on top of the original Montgomery County Courthouse in 1909, was repaired and prominently placed at the Montgomery County Public Safety building.”
His plethora of knowledge about the County had little to no bounds. His impact spreads throughout the community and countless lives, especially his employees and colleagues at Montgomery County, leaving a permanent and honorable legacy.
Steve’s accomplishments and interests extended far beyond the workplace. His involvement in the Isaac Walton League, the Dublin Skeet Club, and his Dry Valley Hunt Club were met with the same dedication and work ethic he displayed as a Montgomery County employee. Steve thoroughly enjoyed life and tried to make things better for those less fortunate than himself. He would often either initiate or participate in supporting a co-worker, family member, or someone in the community in need, even if he barely knew them.
Recently, when asked by an architect designing the New Riner Fire Station what type of community Riner was, Steve replied, “it’s the kind of community I wanted to raise my family in and live here, they are a good bunch of people in Riner.”
— Jennifer T. Harris
