Phil Ray Wise

Mr. Phil Ray Wise, age 81, of Zebulon, passed away May 7, 2025, at his home.  Phil grew up in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, son of the late Marvie D. Wise and the late Louise Harrelson Wise. Phil started working at the age of 11 as a grocery delivery boy. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served two tours of duty in Vietnam. After being honorably discharged from the military, Phil moved to Georgia and took a job as a correctional officer at the Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta where he worked for 20 years before retiring.

Phil was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Barnesville.  He enjoyed fishing, watching TV and spending time with his family.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Wise, brothers, Charles Rollen and Glen Wise, his sister, Carolyn Cathcart, his son, Tim Zellner, and great-granddaughter, Abigail Thomas.

He is survived by his wife: Martha Milner Wise; children: Shirley Wise, Denise Finley (Jerome), Kathy Zellner, Cindy Bonds and Brian Milner (Haley); grandchildren: Jessica, Megan, Jennifer (Derek), Caitlin (Jake), Dusty (Anthony), Josh, JC (Jacob), Cameron, Alex (Raven) and Callum; great-grandchildren: Trevor, Emily, Corey, Tollin, Tyler, Liam, Jackson, Kate, Caroline, Eliza, Hailey Patillo, Bailey Patillo and two more are due in June; sister: Margaret Lennox; sister-in-law: Gigi Rollen; brother-in-law: Ron Cathcart; many nieces, nephews; his Kentucky family and special family friends Ron and Sherry Robinson.

The family wishes to thank VA caregiver, Ashley Hampton and Lighthouse Hospice for their kindness and the wonderful care they gave to Phil.

Friends may visit the family on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 3 p.m., in the chapel of Moody-Daniel Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Westwood Gardens in Griffin.