Phillip “Phil” Richard Williford, veteran, beloved father

Phillip “Phil” Richard Williford, 78, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away peacefully Friday, July 18, 2025, surrounded by the wonderful staff of Harbor Healthcare in Lewes. His happy smile will live in our hearts.

Phil was born Jan. 28, 1947, in Hyattsville, Md., the youngest of three children to Edwin Warren Williford Sr. and Nannie Louise Nichols Williford. Phil graduated from Springbrook High School in Silver Spring Class of 1965.

At 18, he was hired by C&P Telephone Company in Silver Spring, Md., but took a leave to complete two tours in the Vietnam War. He enlisted in the U.S. Marines in 1966, served two tours in combat, and was discharged in 1970. He returned and took up his job at C&P Telephone (later Bell Atlantic, currently Verizon), where he worked as a dedicated cable technician, which involved strenuous labor climbing telephone poles, digging ditches, installing cables in people’s homes, and repairing lines during storms.

Phil married Maryann (Mary Ann) McDonald in 1976 at St. John’s Church in Silver Spring, and they moved to Poolesville, Md., to start their family. Phil had a stepson, James Michael Robinson, and two children with Maryann, Karri Lynn Williford and Daniel Patrick Williford. They lived in Ijamsville, Md., and Silver Spring, Md., before divorcing.

Phil moved to Four Corners, Silver Spring, in 1991 and, while there, took an active part in the Veterans of Foreign Wars nonprofit organization, serving many different roles, including chaplain.

After 35 years of service to the phone company, Phil retired in the year 2000 and moved to Rehoboth Beach, where he found a rich new life. He was an active member of the Rehoboth Beach community and joined Epworth United Methodist Church, where he participated in the choir and made many good friends. In 2009, he met Karen McKeon of Philadelphia, and they married Dec. 24, 2009.

Phil’s best quality was bringing laughter to the world. Phil was known and loved for his witty, silly sense of humor. He always made those around him smile and laugh. He was a lifelong music lover, especially of American pop music from the ‘30s-'60s. He loved comedy and cartoons, especially Mel Brooks and Warner Brothers, and did a great Donald Duck impression. His favorite cartoon character was Homer Simpson. He was an avid watcher of American Western cinema.

Throughout his life, Phil ran a business providing small carpentry and home repair services to the community (sometimes called “Williford Home Services”). He was self-taught, could fix anything, loved to build things, and was always happy to lend a hand to friends and family.

Phil entered Harbor Healthcare in Lewes in the fall of 2019, where he was affectionately cared for. He passed peacefully there.

Phil was preceded in death by his elder sister, Judith Ann Williford Osborne; and his elder brother, Edwin Warren Williford Jr.

Phil is survived by his three children; two grandchildren, Dylan and Layla Robinson; his wife; and his beloved nieces and nephews, Andy, Vicki, Diane, Leann and James.

Phil's ashes have now been laid to rest at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro, wall site No. BIIIIC21.

In the immortal words of Porky Pig, “Th-Th-Th-That's All, Folks!”