John Edward Dillard

DILLARD, John Edward, age 87, of Waynesville, passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at his residence to be home with his heavenly Father. He was born July 15, 1935, in Etowah County, Alabama. John lost his dad when he was 18 months old. He had an older brother, Hobert, and a sister, Helen. Life was very hard in those days, trying to make a living without a father in the home. John’s mom remarried in 1948 and gave him three more sisters. He worked at a gas station pumping gasoline, changing tires, oil, and washing cars. He also worked at a grocery store before he graduated high school and continued working there until a short time after getting married. He graduated from Etowah High School, class of ’54. Upon graduating from high school, he married his high school sweetheart, Martha Williams, in July 1954. One year after they married, in August 1955, John and Martha moved to Piqua, Ohio, for better jobs and to live near Martha’s mother, who had already made the move to Ohio. They later moved to Troy, where he worked at Hobart Manufacturing until retiring in 1996. After retirement, they decided to return to Gadsden, Alabama. In 2002, they moved to Lubbock, Texas, to be near their son for nearly four years. They eventually returned to Gadsden in August of 2005, and ultimately moved to Waynesville in 2017 to live with his daughter in his last days. John was kind and helpful to everyone he met. He always enjoyed being around people and talking with them. He enjoyed bowling in his younger years. He also enjoyed playing a game of cards, mainly on Saturday nights, with his family. His favorite card games included Rook and Euchre. John always looked forward to the holidays and spending time with his family. He loved his family dearly and was always ready to help anyone in need. Over the years, John helped his son-in-law and brother-in-law build their houses. He also worked with his son building a large shed. He always enjoyed traveling back home to Alabama, and it became a family tradition each summer. Following retirement, John and Martha started staying home more and began to realize the most important things of life, such as why we are here on God’s Earth and to know what it means to serve God. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother. The family will never be the same without this wonderful man. His wit, wisdom, and love will be deeply missed. He was preceded in death by his father, James “Jim” Dillard; mother, Lula Hubbard; stepfather, Dave Hubbard; one brother, Hobert Dillard; and one sister, Helen White. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Martha; one son, Wade (Cathy) Dillard; one daughter Jan (Ken) Dietz; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Martha (David) Kulavich, Carolyn (Sam) Tipton, and Connie (Jackie) Grochola; and a host of nieces and nephews. Private services. Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home is serving the family. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.

John Edward Dillard

July 15, 1935 - December 21, 2022