Clarence Dillard

Clarence Joseph "C. J." Dillard, 82, a resident of Newton, passed away Sunday, March 26, 2017 at his residence following an extended illness.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at Bethel Baptist Church in Newton with Mr. Bimbo Turner officiating. Burial will follow in Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery with Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in the Earl Bankston Memorial Chapel from 6-8 on Tuesday. Mr. Dillard will be placed in the church one hour prior to service time on Wednesday.

Mr. Dillard was born January 6, 1935 in Dale County and lived all of his life there. He was employed as a lead aircraft mechanic at Ft. Rucker for 28 years prior to his retirement. He spent over 40 years with his beloved wife, Jeanette Story Dillard and was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.

Mr. Dillard is predeceased by his wife, Jeanette Story Dillard and two sons, Danny Joe Dillard and Randy Clarence Dillard.

Survivors include three children, Timothy (Dana) Dillard, Donna Jean Prescott and Vicky Dillard Smith, all of Newton; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Susanna Blocker and Sharon Phillips (Richard); several nieces and nephews also survive.