Phillip D. Lawrence, age 73, of Wickliffe, Kentucky, passed away on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Ray & Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center of Paducah.
Phil was born in Cairo, Illinois, on January 8, 1953, to the late JT and Beryl Dunn Lawrence. He was a member of Barlow First Baptist Church. Phil owned and operated PeeDee’s Food Mart of Wickliffe for over 40 years. He was a man who was willing to help anyone in need who stopped by the store. Whether it was giving food to those in need or any other sort of help, Phil was always there to get them through a hard time. He was an active member of the Wickliffe Masonic Lodge 625, the Madisonville Rizpah Shriners, and the Paducah York Rite. Phil was also a member and former president of the Wickliffe Jaycee’s.
He was affectionately known as “Papa Phil” by the girls he coached on the Ballard County Bombers Softball team. Phil loved teaching his teams not only about the sport of softball, but life as well. He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed spending time with family watching the St. Louis Cardinals or the Kentucky Wildcats.
Family was everything to Phil. He adored his wife, children, and especially his grandchildren. He loved to fish and hunt in his younger days, and built a pond stocked with fish in his front yard for the children in his life to enjoy. He will be remembered by those closest to him as being the funniest and most loving husband, dad, and grandpa.
Phil is survived by his wife, Debbie Humphrey Lawrence, of Wickliffe; a daughter, Natalie (Tyler) DeBernardi of Mayfield; four sons, Phillip Lawrence of Barlow, Nathan (Jessica) Lawrence of Hickory, Cameron (Moriah) Lawrence of Kevil, and Evan (Adrienne) of Pensacola, Florida; a brother, Keith (Sandy) Lawrence of Owensboro, Kentucky; and 12 grandchildren, Austin Lawrence, Keaton Lawrence, Drason Lawrence, Brayden Lawrence, Brody Lawrence, Charlie DeBernardi, Kayson DeBernardi, Sayler Lawrence, Rynlee Lawrence, Hudson Lawrence, Jordan Lawrence, and Hunter Fay.
He was preceded in death by his parents, JT and Beryl Lawrence.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Barlow First Baptist Church with Pastor Scott Fickes officiating. Burial will follow at Wickliffe City Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 pm until the service time of 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Barlow First Baptist Church. Masonic Rites will be held before the funeral service.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude PL, Memphis, TN 38105.
You may leave a message for the family or light a candle at www.milnerandorr.com.
