About Burton Phillips
Lived 1912 – 1999 (aged 87). Burton Phillips was an American criminal.
Burton Earnest "Whitey" Phillips (May 20, 1912 – July 28, 1999) was an American criminal, convicted of bank robbery and kidnapping, a federal crime. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison, and served time in Leavenworth and Alcatraz penitentiaries. He was released on parole in 1952.
Biography In February 1935, Phillips robbed $2,090 from the Chandler Bank of Lyons in Kansas. He took the cashier and his assistant as hostages and drove away with an accomplice in a stolen car.
He was initially sent to serve his sentence at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. He had planned to overpower the sheriff, take his weapons, and escape to rob the same bank again.
Phillips was given parole in 1952.
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Important facts
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Burton Phillips?
American criminal (1912-1999)
When was Burton Phillips born?
Burton Phillips was born on 20 May 1912 in Topeka, Kansas.
When did Burton Phillips die?
Burton Phillips died on 28 July 1999 in Kansas.
What was Burton Phillips's occupation?
Burton Phillips was a criminal.
What nationality was Burton Phillips?
Burton Phillips was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Burton Phillips. https://biography.guide/burton-phillips/
MLA: "Burton Phillips." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/burton-phillips/.
Chicago: "Burton Phillips." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/burton-phillips/.
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