Philip Drew Hennig, of Wellington, Kansas, passed away at his home with fam- | ily by his side on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at the age of 74.
Phil was bom the son of | Eldon and Donna (Fisher) Hennig on August 12, 1949 in Wellington, Kansas.
As a child, Phil attended St. Anthony/St. Rose Catholic School in Wellington, Kansas, eventually leaving for Albuquerque, New Mexico with his family where he graduated from Sandia High School in 1967. He went on to become an air traffic controller at Albuquerque Center, a job he held for 29 years until his retirement.
In 1990 he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann, and the two eventually moved back to Wellington where they’d met. As Phil himself recently joked, “To know Phil, is to love Phil.” Which was true, partly because throughout his life Phil was a natural entertainercooking, acting, even taking up the piano at age 65. He was ever ready with an arsenal of jokes and quips to lighten the mood, like his goal when he woke up in the morning was to put a smile on your face. But it wasn’t just a smile he’d give you. He’d give you his time and effort, eager to lend a hand to friends, family, and neighbors, which often included sharing his skill as a woodworking craftsman and overall handyman.
Phil was an excellent snow skier and enjoyed hiking, traveling, and all things community theatre: acting, directing, executive board. He loved family, and especially loved spending time with his grandkids and attending their events. We’re pretty sure he’d want you to know he was the Albuquerque city polevaulting champion in ninth grade.
To know Phil, was to love Phil, and now we will also miss him. But we wouldn’t have missed being with him for the world.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Hennig; son, Scott Hennig (Jennifer); step-son, William R. Mott (Amy); grandchildren: Will Mott, Caroline Mott, Reilly Hennig, Wyatt Hennig; great grandchildren, Evelyn Murry; Canaan Muny; brothers: Gregory Hennig, Randy Hennig, Steve Hennig, Tim Hennig; and ex daughter-in-law, Jamie Hennig.
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter, Mary Hennig, and step-son, Seth Mott.
A visitation was held at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, January 5, 2024. Recitation of the Holy Rosary began at 10:00 am, Saturday morning, January 6, 2024 followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30 am, in St. Anthony St. Rose Catholic Church, Wellington, Kansas. Interment followed at Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Wellington, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be given to Wellington Community/Children’s Theatre. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.
Frank Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements
