Phil Aylward

Philip Eugene Aylward, 87 of Memphis, MO passed away Friday, February 21, 2025 at the Scotland County Memorial Hospital. He was born February 15, 1938 in rural Memphis to Lee and Marjorie Aylward. He married Joyce Elaine Kiddoo on May 21, 1955. The couple lived and farmed north of Memphis for nearly 70 years where they raised three children; Scott, Sally and Sharon. At one time, Phil farmed from Pulaski, IA to Greensburg, MO. He was a wonderful farmer and thoughtful steward of the land. He was born to be a farmer, but he could not have done it without the support of his wife, Joyce and son, Scott and his family. He was also fortunate to have good hired men over the years.

Being a row crop farmer, Phil was active in many agriculture-related associations. He helped form the Missouri Corn Growers Association in 1980 holding several offices. Later serving in the National Corn Development Fund, serving as the president in 1993-1994. He was also active as a member and a long time supporter of the Scotland County Fair Board. 

He was a proponent of developing agricultural endeavors across the world. He traveled to Thailand, Malaysia and Southern China in 1988. In 1989 he traveled to Russia and the Ukraine. Finally, traveling in 2006 to Brazil to observe their soybean cultivation process. Phil was a leader in getting NEMO Grain established in Macon in 2000, bringing the first ethanol plant to Macon, MO

In 1970 Phil was one of the founding members of TPM (Tractor Pullers of Missouri). He went on to pull all over the Midwest, state fairs and the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, KY.

Phil is survived by his wife, Joyce of nearly 70 years. A son, Scott (Joy) and two daughters, Sally and Sharon. He is survived by 4 granddaughters, 8 great-grandchildren, a brother Ed (Linda), sister-in-law Mary and brothers-in-law Bill (Kathy) Kiddoo, Allen Kiddoo and David DeGraffenreid; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Earl, niece Sarah, nephew Stephen, Sister Dorothy and husband, Allen, Son-in-law, Chuck, his in-laws Clarence and Macel Kiddoo and sister-in-law Jan DeGraffenreid.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Scotland County Rural Fire Department, Scotland County Fair Board and Memphis United Methodist Church.

Funeral Service for Phil Aylward, 87, of rural Memphis will be Monday morning, 2/24, at 11:00 A.M. at the Payne Funeral Chapel in Memphis. Interment will follow inn the Memphis Cemetery.

 Visitation is scheduled for Monday morning, 2/24, at 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at 11:00 A.M. where the family will receive friends at the Payne Funeral Chapel.