William “Bill” Dillon

William “Bill” Dillon went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, peacefully in his sleep at the incredible age of 97 on Thursday, August 3, 2023. He had a lifelong reputation of being a quiet man of integrity, strength, faith, and humor who was a true Southern gentleman and loved his family well. When his health allowed, he enjoyed attending First Baptist Church Sherwood with his wife Betty.

Bill served his country in the U.S. Navy in World War II in the Mariana Islands earning him the Victory Medal. He retired from Timex Corporation after 38 years and enjoyed watching sports of all kinds, especially the Razorbacks, with his wife Betty. Attending, watching, and cheering his children and grandchildren in all their sporting events and other activities was a priority for Bill and Betty. It gave him great joy and satisfaction mowing and grooming lawns during his retirement. 

During the past four years, he faced many challenges after a fall, two surgeries, and other health issues. Despite these challenges, he remained his sweet, kind, and uncomplaining self, always thinking of others and their needs before himself. In the same manner, his devoted wife Betty loved, served, and cared for him and his every need unconditionally, wholeheartedly, and tenderly by his side every single day.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Dianne Clemens (Tommy); his first wife Frances Marie Pierpaoli Dillon; his three sisters Claudine Kuhl (Hurbert), Anna Mae Fletcher (Leroy), Willa Bea Gimblet (Buster), and his parents Bennie and Ruth Tucker Dillon.

Bill is survived by his wife of 49 years, Betty Marie McCollum Dillon, his two sons Randy (Cathy) Dillon of Sherwood and Jon (Liz) Dillon of Richmond, VA and his daughter Sandy (David) Ray of Nixa, MO along with two brothers of North Little Rock, Bob (Darlene) Dillon and Maurice (Elisabeth) Dillon. He loved and enjoyed his grandchildren Sarah, Micah, Ryan, Caitlyn, Josh, Amanda, and Julie as well as his great grandchildren Lily, Isaac, Beckham, Andi, Rayna, and Peyton.

A brief, informal service to honor his life will be held at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church Sherwood located at 701 Country Club Road in Sherwood, AR on Wednesday, August 9, 2023. There will be an interment with military honors at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at a later date.