In Memory Of
Phyllis Sims Selig
1931
2014
Phyllis Sims Selig
November 16, 1931 — February 4, 2014
Phyllis Sims Selig, 82, of Topeka, Kansas passed away February 4, 2014 at McCrite Plaza Health Center. She was born Phyllis Ann Sims to Willis "Bill" Sims and Victoria Oakley Sims on November 16, 1931, in Topeka.
Phyllis graduated in 1950 from Highland Park High School in Topeka and then entered the University of Kansas in Lawrence. She graduated from KU in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. In 1957, Phyllis married US Air Force Captain James Selig in Lawrence. After a two-year tour at McGuire Force Base, New Jersey, the couple returned to Lawrence when her husband Jim joined the Reuter Pipe Organ Company his grandfather helped found. Over the next ten years, while raising three daughters, Phyllis worked for a local developer, drafting construction drawings for over 100 upscale residential homes in the Lawrence area.
In 1970 the family moved to Columbus, Nebraska when Jim became accounting supervisor for the Becton Dickenson medical plant. In 1980 Phyllis went to work for Nebraska Public Power District in their Engineering Services department. She retired from Nebraska Public Power as architectural supervisor in 1996. While living in Columbus, Phyllis was asked to join the PEO sisterhood and served as an active member from 1973 to 2014. After her retirement in 1997, Phyllis and Jim moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas where they lived for over sixteen years. While in Bella Vista, Phyllis served a term as President of PEO Chapter CD and also served on the Bella Vista Architectural Control Committee for ten years. Phyllis and Jim later relocated to Topeka, Kansas in June of 2013.
Phyllis always enjoyed working in her yard and caring for her beloved pets. One of her favorite activities and lifelong dedication, however, was serving for the Alpha Phi International Fraternity, which she was invited to join in 1951 when she was a student at the University of Kansas.
In 1968 she was elected to the Alpha Phi International Executive Board as Vice President of Finance and Housing. She served for six years, working with architects on chapter housing or meeting facilities for collegiate members throughout the U.S. and Canada. Phyllis was then elected International President for two terms, serving from 1974 to 1978, followed by a term on the Alpha Phi Board of Trustees. In 1979 Phyllis was elected to the Board of Directors of the Fraternity - Sorority Hall of Fame Board in Evanston, Illinois. In late December of 2013, Phyllis received the Alpha Phi Ivy Vine Award, the highest service award given by the Fraternity. Phyllis was only the 10th recipient of this award since its inception in 1986.
Survivors include husband, James R. Selig, of Topeka; three daughters, Lin Selig Shipley, Susan Bullington (Roger) and Sarah Selig all of Nebraska; grandchildren Kelci Shipley of New York, Kevin Shipley of Indiana and Alex Bullington of Nebraska; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Adrian and Mary (Selig) Allen of Topeka.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at McCrite Plaza Chapel, 1608 SW 37th. Private family inurnment will be at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alpha Phi Foundation, 1930 Sherman Ave. Evanston, IL 60201 or the donor's choice.
Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel is assisting with arrangements.
Phyllis graduated in 1950 from Highland Park High School in Topeka and then entered the University of Kansas in Lawrence. She graduated from KU in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. In 1957, Phyllis married US Air Force Captain James Selig in Lawrence. After a two-year tour at McGuire Force Base, New Jersey, the couple returned to Lawrence when her husband Jim joined the Reuter Pipe Organ Company his grandfather helped found. Over the next ten years, while raising three daughters, Phyllis worked for a local developer, drafting construction drawings for over 100 upscale residential homes in the Lawrence area.
In 1970 the family moved to Columbus, Nebraska when Jim became accounting supervisor for the Becton Dickenson medical plant. In 1980 Phyllis went to work for Nebraska Public Power District in their Engineering Services department. She retired from Nebraska Public Power as architectural supervisor in 1996. While living in Columbus, Phyllis was asked to join the PEO sisterhood and served as an active member from 1973 to 2014. After her retirement in 1997, Phyllis and Jim moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas where they lived for over sixteen years. While in Bella Vista, Phyllis served a term as President of PEO Chapter CD and also served on the Bella Vista Architectural Control Committee for ten years. Phyllis and Jim later relocated to Topeka, Kansas in June of 2013.
Phyllis always enjoyed working in her yard and caring for her beloved pets. One of her favorite activities and lifelong dedication, however, was serving for the Alpha Phi International Fraternity, which she was invited to join in 1951 when she was a student at the University of Kansas.
In 1968 she was elected to the Alpha Phi International Executive Board as Vice President of Finance and Housing. She served for six years, working with architects on chapter housing or meeting facilities for collegiate members throughout the U.S. and Canada. Phyllis was then elected International President for two terms, serving from 1974 to 1978, followed by a term on the Alpha Phi Board of Trustees. In 1979 Phyllis was elected to the Board of Directors of the Fraternity - Sorority Hall of Fame Board in Evanston, Illinois. In late December of 2013, Phyllis received the Alpha Phi Ivy Vine Award, the highest service award given by the Fraternity. Phyllis was only the 10th recipient of this award since its inception in 1986.
Survivors include husband, James R. Selig, of Topeka; three daughters, Lin Selig Shipley, Susan Bullington (Roger) and Sarah Selig all of Nebraska; grandchildren Kelci Shipley of New York, Kevin Shipley of Indiana and Alex Bullington of Nebraska; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Adrian and Mary (Selig) Allen of Topeka.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at McCrite Plaza Chapel, 1608 SW 37th. Private family inurnment will be at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alpha Phi Foundation, 1930 Sherman Ave. Evanston, IL 60201 or the donor's choice.
Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel is assisting with arrangements.
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