John Clifford Dills, 83, of Hendersonville, NC, died Monday, February 25, 2008 at Pardee Memorial Hospital.
He was born and lived most of his life in Henderson County, the son of the late John Elmer Dills and Beva Manilla Painter Dills. He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Nancy G. Bartz; Sarah Alice Powell; and Mary Jewel Morgan; and one nephew, Donald E. Powell.
He was a World War II veteran, having served as a Pharmacist Mate in the US Navy. He was employed by the Augusta Chronicle, the Asheville Citizen-Times and the Hendersonville Times-News. He received a certificate in Dactylogy from Midwestern Baptist College in Pontiac, MI, for study of sign language. A member of Calvary Baptist Church, he worked with Sunny Hudson in the ministry for the deaf at Calvary for a number of years. He was also active in his community as a Major with the Civil Air Patrol, a charter member of the Hendersonville Community Band, and a member of the Hendersonville Little Theatre.
He is survived by his loving family, his brother-in-law, Glenn Morgan of Saluda; his cousin and “adopted sister,” Elsie Painter Fore of Weaverville; a nephew, Bob Morgan of Concord; three nieces, Glenda Hodnett of Alma, GA; Laura Powell of Garner; and Joyce McAbee of Winterville, GA; five great-nephews; five great-nieces; and sixteen great-great-nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 1 PM Thursday, February 28, 2008 at Calvary Baptist Church. The Reverends Joe Canipe and Buddy Mullinax will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery with military honors conducted by Hubert M. Smith American Legion Post 77, Hedrick-Rhodes Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5206, and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 14. The family will receive friends from 7 8:30 PM Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at Shuler Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Civil Air Patrol, 21 Aviation Way, Fletcher, NC 28732.
Service
12:00 AM
Calvary Baptist Church - Directions
2501 Haywood Road
Hendersonville, NC 28791
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