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Wally Phillips funeral was a celebration

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Posted by chicagomedia.org on May 20, 2008 at 15:56:49:

Everyone there said Wally Phillips would have loved it.

The memorial service Friday in Lake Geneva, Wis., for the late, great Chicago radio star was more of a celebration of his life and legacy than a funeral.

It opened with a tape of one of Phillips' funniest bits -- the call he made to Luciano Pavarotti, asking the famed tenor if he could teach a youngster "to sing flat, like you do."

It also included two hymns by one of Phillips' favorite singers, Mahalia Jackson. (Who knew?)

Phillips' longtime producer, Marilyn Miller, who delivered her own touching tribute, moved through the church with a wireless microphone, "taking calls," as it were, from such colleagues as Clark Weber, Roy Leonard, Paul Gallis, Bruce DuMont, Roger Triemstra, Merri Dee and Larry Schreiner.

Most of them cited Phillips' impeccable professionalism, his legendary generosity and his love of family and friends. Ad exec Doug Ekman called him "the original MapQuest" noting his eagerness to give directions to anyone who called his show.

Phillips, top-rated morning host for decades on Trib-owned WGN-AM (720), died March 27 after battling Alzheimer's.

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: Everyone there said Wally Phillips would have loved it. : The memorial service Friday in Lake Geneva, Wis., for the late, great Chicago radio star was more of a celebration of his life and legacy than a funeral. : It opened with a tape of one of Phillips' funniest bits -- the call he made to Luciano Pavarotti, asking the famed tenor if he could teach a youngster "to sing flat, like you do." : It also included two hymns by one of Phillips' favorite singers, Mahalia Jackson. (Who knew?) : Phillips' longtime producer, Marilyn Miller, who delivered her own touching tribute, moved through the church with a wireless microphone, "taking calls," as it were, from such colleagues as Clark Weber, Roy Leonard, Paul Gallis, Bruce DuMont, Roger Triemstra, Merri Dee and Larry Schreiner. : Most of them cited Phillips' impeccable professionalism, his legendary generosity and his love of family and friends. Ad exec Doug Ekman called him "the original MapQuest" noting his eagerness to give directions to anyone who called his show. : Phillips, top-rated morning host for decades on Trib-owned WGN-AM (720), died March 27 after battling Alzheimer's.

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