Phil Robertson, the gruff, bearded patriarch of the “Duck Dynasty” family who turned a duck call business into a reality TV empire, passed away at 79, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, and unapologetic grit.

His death, announced earlier this week, has hit fans hard, and his son Willie shared a touching tribute about Phil’s final words, giving a glimpse into the man behind the TV persona.

It’s a bittersweet moment for a family that’s been in the spotlight for over a decade, and they’re asking folks to celebrate Phil’s life the way he wanted.

Phil Robertson died on Sunday, May 25, 2025, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2024, his family confirmed. “Korie Robertson, additionally announced Phil’s death on Sunday and wrote online that the family was celebrating that Phil was ‘now with the Lord,’ according to Fox News.

The Robertsons are planning a private service, with details about a public celebration of life to come soon.

Phil had been open about his wishes for his passing, telling his son Jase on a 2023 podcast after back surgery:

“Dance, sing, but don’t cry when I die.”

He’d been battling health challenges, but his family says they’re finding comfort in his faith.

Phil was the heart of “Duck Dynasty,” the A&E reality show that ran from 2012 to 2017, following the Robertson family’s life running Duck Commander, a multimillion-dollar hunting gear company he founded in 1972 after inventing the Duck Commander duck call.

But Phil’s influence went beyond business—he was a devout Christian who didn’t shy away from sharing his beliefs, even when it got him in hot water, like his 2013 suspension from the show over comments on homosexuality that sparked a firestorm.

Willie Robertson, Phil’s son and a “Duck Dynasty” star himself, opened up about their final moments together.

“I remember Phil’s many prayers on Memorial Day and all the times with my dad. I don’t have enough words to tell of all of it, perhaps it will take months or years of remembering.”

Phil’s faith shaped everything he did, even how he raised his kids.

“The greatest thing my kids ever saw was me repenting of my own sins and coming to Jesus Christ—that’s what I wanted them to see,” reflecting on the moment that turned his life around at 28.

It’s a glimpse into the man who went from a rowdy past to a devoted family leader.

Phil’s story wasn’t all smooth sailing. He grew up poor in Vivian, Louisiana, one of seven kids, living without electricity or a toilet.

A talented football player, he could’ve gone pro but chose hunting over the gridiron—his teammate Terry Bradshaw once said, “Phil Robertson, loved hunting more than he loved football.”

After his sons were born, he made it a mission to show them how to live right.

“The greatest thing about what I had to show my sons was I loved their mother. They had to see that,” he told Birmingham Christian Family Magazine in 2019, reflecting on his marriage to Miss Kay.

As the Robertsons grieve, they’re also looking ahead. A&E announced earlier this year that “Duck Dynasty” will return with “Duck Dynasty: The Revival,” focusing on Willie, his wife, their kids, and grandkids. Phil may be gone, but his legacy—built on faith, family, and a love for the outdoors—lives on in the family he leaves behind.

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