Petty Officer Second Class served in United States Navy during World War Two from November, 1941 until December 3, 1945. His parents were Lacy and Selma Phillips. After he returned from the Navy, he and his wife Vivian moved to Texas where he still resides.

Nathan has one brother, William Earl Phillips who served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War Two. His sisters are Ella Moore, Martha Phillips, Dorothy Dawson and Elizabeth Luther. Nathan father, Lacy Alonzo Phillips served in the United States Army during World War One. His brother-in-law, Samuel Dawson also serve in the United States Army Air Forces during World War Two