Donald Dwayne Dillard, age 80, passed away Friday, September 3, 2021 in Houston, TX.

Don is preceded in death by his parents John and Elma; his siblings: Dorothy, Doris, Juanell, Ronald, Michael;  and survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Penelope "Penny"; his children: Kellye and husband Randy, Ashli and husband Denny, Wesley and wife Ashley; grandchildren: Kyle, Nicholas, Hannah, Evelyn, Adrienne, Lucy, Alice and Sally; siblings: Jack and wife Lataine, Sam and wife Dorothy, Retha and husband Chris, Gayla and husband David. In addition, survivors include his siblings-in-law: Lynn and husband John, David and wife Linda, Elizabeth and husband Ricky and numerous nieces and nephews.

Lived on a farm most of his young life.  At age 10, the family moved to Gentry, Arkansas having Don graduate from Gentry High School. As his schooling continued, Don received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering, University of Arkansas (1965), M.S. in Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State University (1966) and PhD in Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State University (1975)

Don held various professional positions in the oil industry throughout career. In 1970 he began career at Exxon in Baton Rouge and later in Houston and Tokyo, 1981 began Dillard Drilling with his brother Ronald (a seismographic drilling company operating in Montana and North Dakota). 1982 brought Don back to Houston to work for Tenneco and Rollins Environmental Services and then in 1991 he began working  for Amerada Hess Corporation on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, 1999 Don started at  Murphy Oil Corporation in El Dorado, Arkansas retiring from Murphy Oil in 2009. Don continued to do consulting work until moving back to Houston in 2012

In 2008 (while at Murphy) received a U.S. Patent for the design of Systems and Methods for Real Time Fuel Inventory Control.

Don was baptized on March 30, 1980 at St. Paul International Lutheran Church in Tokyo, Japan, (Baptized same day as baby daughter Ashli). Joined Messiah Lutheran Church in 1982 and served as President of the Church Council for two terms.  His proudest accomplishment was seeing the new Sanctuary become a reality during that time.  Became member of Lord God of Sabaoth Lutheran Church upon moving to St. Croix in 1991 and rejoined his beloved Messiah Lutheran when retiring back to Houston.

Don's biggest enjoyment came from his family – followed closely by his love of golf.  He played golf and participated in tournaments throughout his life in the various places where he lived and made many strong friendships.

Dementia took over his later life and in 2019 he became a resident at a memory care facility (Auberge at Vintage Lake) where he had extremely professional and loving care by the staff there.