Roy Dillard

Dec 6, 1942 -

Jan 2, 2023

Roy Francis Dillard, age 80, passed away peacefully on Jan. 2, 2023, in Anchorage, Alaska, with his children at his side. He was born on Dec. 6, 1942, in San Antonio, Texas, to Joshua and Hildegard Dillard. Roy attended high school in San Antonio, where he was an accomplished high school track athlete. He then joined the Marine Corps and, after an honorable discharge, completed his master's degree in electrical engineering at University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he met his wife, Mary Suflu Mayac. Roy worked for Union Oil and Atlantic Richfield Company and after retiring, he enjoyed mentoring math students and volunteering at the Food Bank and Nine Star.

Roy dearly loved spending time with his forever best friend and beloved wife of 55 years, Mary. He cherished spending time with her going camping, fly-fishing, digging clams and sitting by the campfire. He also loved photography and walks with his dogs Tasha, Duke and Duchess. He was an extremely devoted father to his children and grandchildren, attending all of their extracurricular events and sharing his love of Alaska.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary; and sister, Joyce Gaspar. Roy is survived by his children, Denise Dillard, Angela and husband Tom Gill, and Kevin Dillard and wife Robyn; four grandchildren, Haley Swenson (David), Emmett Gill, Reid Brock and Maya Gill; nephew, Walter Gaspar; cousin, Nancy Sanders; and sister, Marilyn Dillard.

Roy will be laid to rest next to Mary at the Anchorage Memorial Cemetery at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. A reception at 11:30 a.m., and a funeral service at 12:30 p.m. will precede the burial at Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel.