COL William Philip Farmer USA (Retired)
Cullum: 20933
Class: '56
Cadet Company: G1
Date of Birth: July 23, 1934
Date of Death: January 9, 2015 - View or Post a Eulogy
FARMER Col (ret.) William Philip
(Phil), 80, of Lexington KY passed away peacefully on Jan. 2, 2015. He was
a member of Church of the Good Shepherd in Lexington. He was born in Maysville
KY to the late Elizabeth N. Farmer and John M. Farmer July 23, 1934. After
graduating Valedictorian at Kentucky Military Institute, Phil accepted an
appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned
a Second Lieutenant in 1956, earning his BS in Engineering. In 1957, Phil
married Carlisle Chenault of Maysville. He would later add an MS in Mechanical
Engineering from Mississippi State University in 1964. Phil also graduated
from the US Naval War College in 1976. Over a 30 year career in the US Army,
Phil rose to the rank Colonel, being awarded the Legion of Merit. Among his
many accomplishments, Phil was an Airborne Ranger, saw combat in Viet Nam
where he was awarded the Bronze Star, serving multiple tours in the Pentagon,
and was the US Army Program Manager for Nuclear Munitions. He retired from
Blue Grass Army Depot in 1986. Phil is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carlisle.
He is also survived by his children, Susan Wachter (Jim) of Fredericksburg,
VA, Bill Farmer (Janice) of Lexington, KY, and John Farmer (Kari) of Leesburg,
VA. In addition, Phil is survived by his four grandchildren, Will, Libby,
Christopher, and Jack. The family will receive friends and visitors at 10am
Jan. 23 at Church of the Good Shepherd. A celebration of his life will follow
at 10:30am. Memorials to Church of the Good Shepherd Building Fund in lieu
of flowers.
Published in Lexington Herald-Leader on Jan. 20, 2015
