Philip C. Purvis

Philip (Phil) Charles Purvis,age 95 of Battle Creek, died peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, May 3, 2022.

Phil was born on February 7, 1927 in Battle Creek, Michigan the son of Charles and Edith (Johnson) Purvis, who preceded him in death.

Phil was a 1944 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. After graduating from high school, Phil was drafted in to the U.S. Army and proudly served during World War II as part of the Military Police Platoon 1st Infantry Division (THE BIG RED ONE). He was Honorably Discharged in 1946 and received the Army of Occupation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Phil married Wilma J. Young on June 2, 1966.

Phil retired from Western Electric and spent his retirement years traveling all over North America with Wilma in their 5th wheel. Cruising was also a favorite pastime, especially sampling any local beers at various stops. He kept himself young by going on mission trips with Dexter Lake Church of God, helping to build churches in Northern Michigan, Niagara Falls, Canada, Latvia, Peru, China and Bolivia. Phil loved sports, if there was a ball or puck involved he was either playing or cheering for his favorite teams. As such, he was a vocal supporter of his grandchildren's athletics and could be found watching regardless of weather. Most people haven't even heard of Pickleball, Phil decided to play at 84 just so he could go get ice cream afterwards.

Phil is survived by his wife of over 55 years, Wilma; children, Jill (Ron) Schwartz, David (Sandy) Young, Larry (Suzette) Young, Judy (Mike) Doubleday, Philip Purvis Jr., and Carol (Brad) Duck; grandchildren, Glen (Tonya) Cavitt, Bruce (Anyta) Cavitt, David (Sandy) Young, Katie Young, Jason Young, Jaclyn Young, Jessica Young, Tim Doubleday, Jeff Doubleday, Lexi Purvis, Mady Purvis, Lauren Purvis, Madison (Ryan) O'Neill, Bradley (Brianna) Duck and Scott Duck; 16 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great grandchildren. Although Phil enjoyed all of his grandchildren, a special bond was formed this last year with his youngest great-grandson, Lincoln.

Visitation will be Monday, May 9, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, where funeral services to celebrate Phil's life will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 10, 2022. Interment with military honors will follow at Hicks Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Overflow Church-Youth Group. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.