Philip T. Sterling Sr.
Sept. 27, 1944 – Feb. 24, 2016

Mr. Philip Thomas Sterling Sr., age 71, a resident of 501 Willows Court, Washington, died Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, February 28, 2016 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Washington, conducted by Father Jim Reed.

Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery, Washington.

The following will serve as pallbearers:  Roy Whichard, Taylor Whichard, Mark Yates, Stephen Stafford, Harold “Butch” Yert and Michael Slade.

Mr. Sterling was born in Washington on September 27, 1944. He was the son of the late Hugh Martin Sterling Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Yert Sterling. Mr. Sterling graduated from Washington High School in 1963. He served in the Army National Guard. Mr. Sterling was manager of the Sherwin Williams store in Washington for 27 years. He was a volunteer fire fighter for the City of Washington for 20 years. Mr. Sterling was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, where he had served on the Vestry, as Senior Warden and as an Acolyte leader. In his spare time, he loved fishing, boating and feeding his turtles.

On December 16, 1966, Mr. Sterling married the former Dora “Jean” Stevens, who survives.

Mr. Sterling is survived by his wife, Jean of the home; son, Philip Thomas Sterling Jr. and wife, Jennifer of Bath; two daughters, Susan Jean Sterling and fiancé, Mike Pendergrass of Bath, Heather Sterling Williams and husband, Ray of Washington; nine grandchildren, Jamie Sterling, Rachael Sterling, Ryan Sterling, John Sterling, Matthew Sterling, Emily Huettmann, Megan Huettmann, Jacob Williams, Austin Williams; cousin, Harold “Butch” Yert; three nieces, Beth Junak, Cindy Slusher, Lisa Carrillo; three nephews, Nicholas Jernigan, Calvin Jernigan, Tony Stafford; two brothers-in-law, Stephen Stafford, Johnny Jernigan; two sisters-in-law, Kaye Stafford, Carolyn Jernigan; and special friends, Juan and Alma Jimenez.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Sterling was preceded in death by a brother, Hugh M. Sterling Jr.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory and other times at the home.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 985, Washington, N.C. 27889.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Sterling family.