Wayne M. Phillips, 77, of Columbia, died August 11, 2022. Born February 24, 1945, in Springfield, MA, he was the son of Donald and Yvonne Phillips. The family moved to Cedar Rapids, IA before eventually settling in Evansville, IN, where Wayne graduated from Benjamin Bosse High School in 1963. Wayne then attended Indiana State University, graduating with a degree in sociology and psychology. He later received his Masters in Social Work from Tulane University.

In 1975, Wayne moved to Sumter, South Carolina to work for the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) as a social worker. It was there that he met Christine; they were married in 1978 and eventually moved to the Irmo area. During his tenure with DHEC, Wayne was a District Director of Social Work. Wayne held similar leadership roles with home health and hospice services at Baptist Medical Center – HomeCare Resources and Palmetto Health HomeCare. He was a Past President of Prevent Child Abuse South Carolina; Board Member of Easterseals South Carolina; and member of the Board of Directors of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of South Carolina. His 40-year career as a social worker was dedicated to helping people at their most vulnerable times in life, as well as their families and other professionals who contributed to their care.

His dedication to others was only surpassed by his dedication to his family, for whom he was an incredibly loving and generous husband, father, grandfather, sibling, and uncle. Wayne and Christine shared a love of food and culture that took them to many places, with New Orleans being a favorite locale over the years. Special memories were made during family vacations, especially at Edisto Island, where Wayne entertained his grandchildren with games, beachcombing excursions, and the occasional interesting fashion choice.

He is survived by his wife, Christine; his son, George Phillips (Robin) of Overland Park, KS; grandchildren, Carter, Kelsey, and Allison Phillips; brother-in-law, John Daniels of Louisville, KY; sister-in-law, Cecilia Phillips of Evansville, IN; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Preston Phillips.

The memorial service for Mr. Phillips will be held at 2 o'clock Saturday, October 15th at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service beginning at 1o'clock.