Phillip K Witter

Phillip (Phil) Kenneth Witter (83), of Wentworth, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2025 at Speare Memorial Hospital, after a period of failing health.

Phil was the beloved son of the late Kenneth Witter and Genevieve Nina Witter (Barnard) of Brookfield, Connecticut. He and his first wife, Peggy (Margaret Miller) and their two children, David and Julie, resided in Southbury, Connecticut for several years before relocating to Tampa, Florida in the early 1970's. While in Florida Phil was a meat cutter by trade and worked as a Meat Department Manager for Kash n' Karry Supermarket for many years. In his free time, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle, collecting sand dollars on the beach and bike riding with his family. He and his family moved to Ashland, New Hampshire in 1984 to get back to the small town living he loved.

Phil remarried in 1986 and moved to Wentworth, New Hampshire. He was active in the Wentworth Community Church and Warren Methodist Church as a board member and active participant in cooking and serving meals for church suppers and volunteering to help with church projects and events. Phil always wanted to see the country so he purchased a truck with a sleeper cab and a 48-foot flat-bed trailer to become a freelance owner/operator for Hot Shot Trucking Company. He was able to travel for many years through almost all the states. He had lots of great adventures and some scary ones, like being in downtown Los Angeles, California during the 1992 riots and being in Miami, Florida just before the Category 5 Hurricane Andrew hit. When the road got tiring, he changed careers and used his many talents to build a spec house in Haverhill, NH, doing almost all of the work himself including the carpentry, plumbing, electrical and finish work. He was a naturally talented tradesman and mechanic who could do it all. In addition, for many years he provided bus service for the Wentworth Elementary School. As with everything he did, he did it well and safely maneuvered his bus along the narrow, wintery, winding roads with confident skill and with the utmost concern for the safety of the children in his care.

In later years, Phil met Granetta ("Netta") who became his life-partner and they worked to fulfill their common dreams and aspirations together. They purchased Shawnees General Store in Wentworth and invested an incredible amount of time, hard work and commitment to improve and expand the store to serve their community. He had a great reputation as a butcher and put his skills to work there. He was well-known for providing reliably stocked and freshly cut meat for locals and out of state visitors alike. Phil and Netta also built a home together on a picturesque site on the Baker River. They enjoyed their time working and improving their "gentleman's farm" which included the addition of many dogs and horses. When the weather was nice, you'd likely find him enjoying the peaceful view, the wildlife and company of his beloved dogs on the front porch.

Phil was a wonderful man. Intelligent, strong, talented, calm and quiet by nature would best describe him. He was always extremely good-hearted and caring to those around him. His strength, giving nature, love of family and determination to follow and fulfill his dreams in life was extraordinary and he was blessed with a life well-lived. Phil will be deeply missed by many and we were so fortunate to have had him in our lives for so many years.

He is survived by his life-partner, Granetta (Netta) Morse, his son, David Witter, of White River Junction, Vermont and his daughter, Julie Lyford and her husband, Daniel Lyford, of Meredith, NH and their daughter, Kelsey Lyford and grandchildren, Selena, Amelia, Kennady and Carson, a granddaughter, Rachael Violette, of Boston, MA, a nephew Ken Slocum and his wife, Bonni Slocum, of Warwick, RI and a niece, Nina Slocum, of Wentworth, NH. Phillip was predeceased by his father and mother, Kenneth and Genevieve (Barnard) Witter, his sister, Phyllis Ann Slocum, brother-in-law, Richard Slocum and nephew, Richard Slocum, Jr.

The family of Phillip are deeply grateful for the care and kindness given by the nursing staff and doctors of Speare Memorial Hospital during his final days. Out of respect for Phil's wishes, there will be no funeral service, however, a private family burial will take place at a later date.


Mayhew Funeral Home, 12 Langdon Street, Plymouth, NH 03264, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit mayhewfuneralhomes.com.