In Memory Of
Wilburn Dillon
1940
2019
Wilburn Dillon
August 17, 1940 — September 12, 2019
Wilburn Dillon died September 12, 2019, at a Topeka hospital, following a brief illness, at age 79.
He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the son of Wilburn Dillon (Sr.) and Clara (Ogan) Dillon. His family moved from Tulsa to Stroud, Oklahoma, and eventually settled in Newton, Kansas. Wilburn completed high school in Newton and graduated from Bethel College in North Newton, while working for his father in their Oklahoma Tire & Supply (Otasco) store.
He married his college sweetheart, Evelyn Wiebe, on August 11, 1963. They took up residence in Topeka, where Wilburn obtained his law degree from Washburn University in Topeka in 1966.
Wilburn had a prolific legal career handling a wide variety of civil and criminal matters. He was regarded by his clients as a staunch advocate and by his peers as a formidable adversary. He also enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve JAG Corps and received a number of awards and commendations, rising through the ranks before retiring as a Colonel after more than 20 years of service.
Wilburn will be remembered for his love of his family, his sharp and clever wit, and his ruthless card playing. In his last few months, he took special joy in teaching his older grandson to play hearts.
Wilburn is survived by his wife, sons Mark (partner Thomas Jetland) and Michael (wife Elizabeth), three grandchildren, Kieran, Clara and Marshall and brother Martin (wife Beverly).
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., November 9, 2019, at the Southern Hills Mennonite Church in Topeka. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital Travel Fund, sent in care of the Arab Shrine,1305 S. Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66612
To leave a special message for the family visit the guestbook below. The Dove Southwest Chapel assisted the family.
He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the son of Wilburn Dillon (Sr.) and Clara (Ogan) Dillon. His family moved from Tulsa to Stroud, Oklahoma, and eventually settled in Newton, Kansas. Wilburn completed high school in Newton and graduated from Bethel College in North Newton, while working for his father in their Oklahoma Tire & Supply (Otasco) store.
He married his college sweetheart, Evelyn Wiebe, on August 11, 1963. They took up residence in Topeka, where Wilburn obtained his law degree from Washburn University in Topeka in 1966.
Wilburn had a prolific legal career handling a wide variety of civil and criminal matters. He was regarded by his clients as a staunch advocate and by his peers as a formidable adversary. He also enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve JAG Corps and received a number of awards and commendations, rising through the ranks before retiring as a Colonel after more than 20 years of service.
Wilburn will be remembered for his love of his family, his sharp and clever wit, and his ruthless card playing. In his last few months, he took special joy in teaching his older grandson to play hearts.
Wilburn is survived by his wife, sons Mark (partner Thomas Jetland) and Michael (wife Elizabeth), three grandchildren, Kieran, Clara and Marshall and brother Martin (wife Beverly).
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., November 9, 2019, at the Southern Hills Mennonite Church in Topeka. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital Travel Fund, sent in care of the Arab Shrine,1305 S. Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66612
To leave a special message for the family visit the guestbook below. The Dove Southwest Chapel assisted the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wilburn Dillon, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Celebration of Life
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)
Southern Hills Mennonite Church
Guestbook
Visits: 12
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