Eddie A. Dillard

We see Eddie Dillard’s smile and his dapper dress style. We hear his distinctive laughter and his passionate discussions about current events. These things we hear and see are in our dreams and memories now.

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, the hand of God touched Eddie and he slept.

It was 54 years ago on May 18, 1947, Eddie was born to Major and Emma Lois Dillard in Hurtsboro, Alabama. Shortly after that the family moved first to East Chicago and eventually settled in Gary, Indiana. Eddie graduated from Gary Indiana Public Schools and attended Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. He later transferred to Bishop College where he received a B.A. in History in 1969. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 

His first professional job was with Southland Corporation in Dallas. He met his wife, Rosemary, there for the first time in 1972; they became friends and chatted briefly. In 1973 his company transferred him to Denver, Colorado. He transferred again to Seattle, Washington and eventually opened his own 7-Eleven Store in East Palo Alto, California.

In 1978 he went to work for Phillip Morris. He met Rosemary again in the mid-1980s and, after a brief courtship, they married on June 14, 1986. He was a district manager at Phillip Morris when he retired in 1997 after 19 years of service. 

Eddie refused to let retirement slow him down. He discovered a new adventure when he turned a simple real estate venture into a full-fledged career. He began buying and selling property throughout the United States and loved every facet of this newly discovered profession. He continued to be an avid newspaper addict and history buff and also dabbled in golf. But it was his love of dominoes and bid whist that led him to proclaim himself the ultimate expert in both games to all who would listen. 

He is mourned by his wife of 15 years, Rosemary; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Andy and Lillian Dillard of Rockwall, Texas and Major and Denise Dillard of Gary, Indiana; one sister, Rosetta Heffner of Gary, Indiana; one son, Edrick L. Dillard of Dallas, Texas; mother-in-law, Amy Smith of Detroit, Michigan; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Sharon Watkins, Francine and William Barnes, and Johnny and Tracey Smith, all of Detroit, Michigan, and Leonard and Linda Weems of Ecourse, Michigan; one great aunt, Anna Belle Watts of Gary, Indiana; and nieces and nephews throughout the United States. He had a special bond with his dear friend, Dr. Alfred Johnson.