Phillis was born January 7, 1935, in Amherst, Wisconsin to Phillip and Marie (Worden) Shaw (deceased). She was the oldest of 8 children. Phillis Valdez was preceded in death by her Sister, Peri Achcynski and Brother Kenneth Shaw. 

Phillis married Verne Slater on September 15, 1952, and to that union 7 children were born (5 daughters and 2 sons). She remarried in later years to her current husband Juan “Andy” Valdez. They have been married for the past 28 years and had been inseparable “two peas in a pod”. They shared their love for the Lord, each other, family, friends, dancing, music and watching movies. 

Phillis loved playing the board game Scrabble and doing crossword puzzles. 

Phillis and Andy shared 9 children, 20 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Phillis leaves to cherish her memory: her husband Juan “Andy” Valdez , two stepsons; Kenneth Valdez (Nora) of Denver, CO, Gregory Valdez (Shannon) of Port Orchard, WA, daughters; Charleen Slater Marino (Gary) of Wheatridge, CO, Peri Slater LaBate (Paul) of Westminster, CO, Kathleen Slater Faliano (Frank) of Broomfield, CO, Jeanne Slater Jackson (Larry) of Clayton, NC, Rochelle Slater Van Ootegham (Steve) of Clayton, NC, sons; Steven Slater, of Milwaukee, WI, Scott Slater (Becky) of Keystone Heights, FL, sisters; Kathryn Flees of St. Francis, WI, Toni Shaw of Denver, CO, Linda Gramera (Bob) of Durango, CO, Rita Zurowski (Fred) of Stevens Point, WI, brother Richard Shaw of Milwaukee, WI, 20 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. 

A "Celebration of Life" for Phillis and her husband Juan "Andy" Valdez, will be held in the Chapel of Walter Sanders Funeral Home & Cremation Services 302 S. Bright Leaf Blvd., Smithfield, NC 27577 Saturday January 10, 2026, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. Services will be live streamed via Facebook Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremations with a reception immediately to follow at Faith Community Church Fellowship Hall 2180 Steel Bridge Rd., Clayton, NC.

There will also be a "Celebration of Life" and burial at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO for Phillis and Andy this Spring.  

Again, please refer to the website of Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremation Services with that date. 

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