Phillip Sterling Handy

Phillip Sterling Handy, 74, passed away on Thursday, June 4, 2026. He was born on July 22, 1951, in Martinsville, Virginia, to the late Mury Clyde Handy and Vergie Evelyn Cooper.

Phillip worked as a mechanic for VDOT until his retirement. He was an enthusiastic member of the Blue Ridge Cycle Club and took great joy in being part of the group. A passionate hunter, Phillip was always on the lookout for the “biggest buck,” and took pride in having both a ten-point and a fourteen-point buck mounted in the home he built. He loved spending time with his sons and friends—hunting, attending gun shows, car races, and going out to eat. After retiring, Phil and Pat loved to travel across the states doing bus tours together.

Phil especially enjoyed going to motorcycle races with his son Tom and teaching Steven how to change oil and tires in his garage. He was also very proud of his daughter, Sherri, for serving in the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel and really enjoyed spending time with her and his grandchildren, Casey and Anna when they were home. Resourceful and hardworking, he often cut down trees for others and used the wood in the construction of his log cabin – a project he completed with the help of his son, Tom, and father-in-law, Bernard Martin.

Phillip leaves behind the following family members to cherish his memory; his wife, Patricia “Pat” S. Handy; sons, Thomas “Tom” Sterling Handy (Andrea) and Stevens Sharpe (Bridgett); daughter, Sherri Sharpe Herzberg (Andrew); grandchildren, Casey and Anna Herzberg; and a host of cousins, extended family members and friends.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 PM, at Norris Funeral Services – Martinsville. A Graveside service will be on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 11:00 AM at John R. Hall Cemetery in Patrick County, with Pastor Tom Blair officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Granbery Church (200 Granbery Rd, Martinsville, VA, United States, Virginia), or to the Dyer Store Volunteer Fire Department (3230 Chatham Rd, Martinsville, VA 24112).

Norris Funeral Services, Inc. & Crematory – Martinsville is serving the Handy family. Online condolences may be made at www.norrisfuneral.com.