AR SMR2

William Richard "Bill" Phillips was born February 5, 1949, and died November 27, 2020, in Harrison, Arkansas.

Led Arkansas State University football team to an undefeated 11-0 season and small college National Championship in 1970, earning First Team All-America honors as a junior in 1970 and All-Southland Conference selections in 1969 and 1970.

Was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round in 1972 and inducted into the Arkansas State University Athletics' Hall of Honor (1992), Ring of Honor (2003), Harrison High School Hall of Fame, and Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame (2015 and 2016).

Worked for Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield in sales and marketing from 1974, leading the Government Relations division starting in 1986, and founded Phillips Management and Consulting Service, Inc. in 1998 as a lobbying firm.

Served on boards and as chairman of multiple civic and professional organizations including Arkansas State University Board of Trustees, Kids Voting Arkansas, Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, and the Arkansas United States Olympic Committee.