We celebrate the extraordinary life of William Higbie Phillips: Adventurer, Teacher, Leader, Visionary, Friend

Through his many life phases from Billy to Bill, Will to Willing—this was a man who truly lived out loud. A lifelong lover of the mountains and the sea, a passionate entrepreneur, a devoted teacher and mentor, and a charismatic connector of people, Will passed away suddenly in April, leaving behind a legacy of love, courage, and curiosity.

Will grew up in Bernardsville, New Jersey, the eldest son of Mary Higbie and Phil Phillips, and big brother to Ken and Michael. From an early age, he felt the pull of the natural world and the thrill of exploration. He followed his father’s footsteps to The Hotchkiss School, where he remained an active contributor, and continued his education at Haverford and Tufts University, along with the real-life learning of service in The United States Army.

His life was one of service, adventure, and meaningful connection. Will found purpose in his work as a science teacher at Shady Hill School and then as a founder of The Habitat School and Outward Bound, always drawn to environments where he could challenge himself and inspire others. Whether hiking with the Appalachian Mountain Club, sailing open waters with the Pelagic Sailing Club, or diving deep into new ideas with REX Roundtable colleagues and friends, he brought the same energy: thoughtful, curious, joyful, and present.

A plaque in his home reads: “When everything falls apart, that’s when the adventure begins.” Will embodied that spirit throughout his life, including one of his most profound early experiences—organizing a grassroots rescue mission following a catastrophic earthquake in Peru. Within 24 hours, he had rallied a coalition of doctors, nurses, mountaineers, Spanish speakers, tech companies, and even a ham radio operator. They traveled to the impacted communities and worked side-by-side with locals, clearing rubble, providing medical aid, and camaraderie. As they moved to the next township the village leader shared this: “Thank you. You’ve been a message from God that the world will go on.”

That drive—to respond, to connect, to lift others up—defined how Will moved through the world. Will’s days were rarely ordinary. He filled them with bold ideas, deep conversations, and a heartfelt interest in every person’s story. He built a far-reaching network of kindred spirits, and within that circle, he was a beacon—a source of inspiration, energy, and love.

As the quote by Emile Zola so perfectly puts it:
“If you ask me what I came into this world to do, I came to live out loud.”
And that, he did.

He will continue to live on in the thoughts of his loving wife Mary, his daughters Laura, Katharine, Marion, and Anna, six grandchildren, one great-grandson, and a wide and devoted community of family, friends, and collaborators who were touched by his life and light.