Phillip Dwayne Dillard

Phillip Dwayne Dillard 1950 - 2020 Lived life loosely Phillip Dillard, husband, son, brother, father, jokester, cousin, free bird, collector, Uncle, yard sale expert, died just near the age of 70 on August 2nd in Modesto, California after a short illness. Phil as most folks called him was loved dearly by so many family members and friends, he was not always the one who would be caught wearing a pair of shoes or a suit for that matter. Phil was a common, plain man who would rather drift around the country backroads on a hot summer eve, or catching a 6am Saturday Yard sale on the Lemoore Naval Air Station housing. Phil's hobbies included looking over coins and postage stamps he would acquire at yard sales or online at times, spending countless hours at his desk with his television near the bed turned up louder than necessary. Science fiction television and some westerns were among his favorite TV shows, Phil was always willing to hold a pretty good conversation with any man from any walk of life. Life took Phil many places but most often he could be found around home with his loving wife Faye and his dogs. Pa or Grandpa Phil as all his grandchildren called him, loved all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren but was extra close with Rick and Ashley Whitfield whom he loved so much. Dad liked to collect an array of many things over the years but one thing that sticks to mind is the span of time he took up collecting anything McDonald's added to their happy meals as a collectable or toy, often making me wonder if I could ever eat another happy meal. Being in the yard during the evenings watering his plants was a common place he could be found, younger years had him winning awards at the fair for horticulture, taking care of plants could occupy his time as well as anything. Having been in the United States Airforce as a younger man and been stationed in England and Arizona you could expect to hear a few good stories from him about his years stationed at Luke and in England. Phil was Air Force Retired due to an active duty injury working as an Aerospace Ground Repairman, he also held the Gasoline Engine Repairman title at a time. Stories are told about his antics in his younger years, like Aunt Delores Nelsen telling of how he burned his leg. Nicknames that came to mind from his loving sisters were, Cotton Top and Whitey. Later in life he was referred to as the Peacekeeper, the Big guy and the Gentle Giant. Phil has been one to give the finger to how life was lived, he once gave life the real deal when he shot his index finger off leaving grandpa with a few doctor bills, most notably a $7 radiology bill that Aunt Sally has kept away in a scrapbook. Another fond memory told by his sister Darlene tells of when as a child working out in a grape field along side his siblings and under the eye of older brother Paul, Phil didn't want to work. Paul had said to Phil if you don't work then you are going to get a spanking, a man working near by spoke up and said you better not spank that boy. Phillip popped up and replied back, oh yes he can! My daddy said he can spank us if we are bad! Handsome and hair in place as a young man, life later found him with a full beard and a head of hair that he was often in trouble with Faye about, either cutting it a bit too short or letting it go a tad bit wild. His beard he carried until the last few months in the hospital, leaving the house to the hospital on the eve of June 9th Phil said I won't be home again honey. Turns out he was a wise old man after all, he knew god had a plan for him and soon he would be joining his parents William Paul Dillard and Jewel Dillard in heaven. He will be up above waiting on his wife pointing to that next big curb alert, patiently waiting singing Carry me, Carrie. Loudly. Phillip was proceeded in death by his parents William Paul and Jewel Dillard, newborn son Zach Dillard, brother Jerry Dillard, niece Bridgette Hansen, nephew Dusty Hansen. Phil is Survived by his wife Faye Dillard, brother Paul (Sally) Dillard, Hanford CA, sister Delores Nelsen, Hanford CA, sister Linda Gillum, sister Darlene (Leroy) Hansen, Hanford CA, daughter Tracie Dillard, Missouri, Daughter Christine (Thomas) Harris, Hanford CA, son James (Cyndi) Burdine, Grand Junction, Colorado son Marty Burdine, Marysville CA, daughter Paula (Russel) Whitfield, Armona CA 16 Grandchildren and 10 Great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel on Tuesday August 11th at 10:00 am, services will be limited to 65 people. Graveside service will follow on Wednesday August 12th at 10:00 am at Grangeville Cemetery in Armona, with a limit of 25 immediate family members with masks being required. Funeral services can be viewed online at the link provided below

Phillip Dwayne Dillard

September 4, 1950 - August 2, 2020