Roll Call Tribute

William Phil Abernathy 

November 7, 1943 - May 18, 2024 

William Phil Abernathy (Phil), 80, passed away on May 18, 2024.

Born in Tylertown, Miss. on Nov. 7, 1943, Phil was raised in Hughes Springs, Texas, the son of the late Doris Smith and W.D. Abernathy.

Along with his brother Chad, Phil’s childhood was spent doing ‘cowboy’ things - building forts, riding horses, and running among the hay bales. Later, Phil excelled in nearly every sport in which he participated, especially basketball, baseball, and track. His athletic abilities and leadership of his teams were covered frequently in the local newspaper as he led the Mustangs to several championship seasons.

Phil attended Texas A&M University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1967 and a master’s in business administration in 1968. He received various marketing scholarships and was recognized as a distinguished student. A proud Aggie, he closely followed the football team and never missed an opportunity to share that even when the season was not great, the band never lost a halftime. He was delighted when many of his nieces and nephews later became part of the Aggie tradition.

Following graduation, Phil began his 40-year career as a sales and marketing professional, beginning with Dow Chemical. He continued his career with other companies including American Cyanamid where he met Katy, not only through work engagements but also through their love of golf and entertaining customers. Katy and Phil married in 1989 and moved to Jacksonville, Fla.

Phil and Katy’s relationship could best be described as a life partnership and love story filled with mutual respect and trust. From working together professionally, to undertaking ‘house projects’, to golfing for pleasure or in tournaments, to sharing a love for entertaining friends, they enjoyed doing everything together – even over the last four years… two people managed life’s challenges together with love.

Phil completed his sales career with Betz PaperChem in 2006. In retirement, Phil was always busy working in the yard on various projects, playing golf with his many ‘golf buddies’, and offering tastes of brown spirits or wine. He was a voracious reader of newspapers, magazines, and anything related to history. He was always clipping articles and saving them to share later with friends or family. He did not forget names or small details about people. He was a kind and caring listener.

Exceedingly proud of his two daughters, Candace and Catherine, Phil was always happy to share an update. He was thrilled for his eldest daughter, Candace, as she followed in his mother’s (her grandmother’s) footsteps and became a schoolteacher, and even more elated as she became a loving wife to Pete and mother to Graham. It gave him such joy to watch Graham’s milestones. Catherine and Phil had a strong and loving bond. They were inseparable during football season with a constant flow of texts and commentary. With both girls, throughout their childhood and adolescent years, he made a point to spend many days at the beach, make special trips across the country – with a trip or a few to Disney mixed in – and share his love of music, movies, and good food and wine. Phil’s goal in 2023 was to walk Catherine down the aisle on her wedding day to Tyler, which he did on a beautiful sunny afternoon in December. He was proud that both of his girls married men whom he respected and trusted.

His faith was always strong. He spent many hours over many years at Mandarin United Methodist Church serving as a Sunday School volunteer with Catherine and her peers from kindergarten through her sixth-grade Confirmation. Throughout his service, he touched the lives of many children. He also served as Stephen Minister leader from 2009 - 2014. Under his leadership, he expanded the Stephen Minister program to enlist more men as Stephen Ministers and focused on reaching veterans and their families in need of support. Again, he influenced the lives of so many people in this role. Even after he stepped away from the leader role, he continued to minister to people in all walks of life.

The entire Abernathy family extends deep gratitude for the loving care and kindness shown to Phil during the last four years by Dr. Dinesh Jayadevappa and the staff at Fresenius Kidney Care – Jacksonville Beach.

Phil is survived by his wife, Katy of 35 years, his children Candace Oliva Jodal (Pete), Catherine Abernathy Miller (Tyler) and grandchild Graham Peter Jodal.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Kidney Foundation.