Rudolph "Rudy" Wiley Dillard

Rudy went to be with the Lord on October 18, 2023.

Rudy was born in Boardman, NC on March 25, 1929 to Wiley Goff Dillard and Viola Mitchell Dillard. Rudy was the oldest of 16 children.

He attended school in Evergreen, NC, and Lamar University.

Rudy joined the United States Air Force in 1946 and served in Japan for 32 months. While in Japan he was stationed at Johnson Air Force Base and played on their baseball team.

After his discharge, he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers and played in their farm system for five years playing in North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, and New York. In 1951 he was optioned out to the Port Arthur Seahawks for a short time. Because of surgery on his pitching arm he had to give up his dream of playing baseball. He settled in Port Arthur and lived there and Port Neches for 58 years. Rudy worked for Southern Union Gas Company in Port Arthur and retired after 35 years as a Supervisor in the Service Department. He moved to Brenham in 2009.

Rudy loved the Lord and served Him in the Texas Baptist Men’s renewal program for over 20 years, leading in Lay Renewal Weekends, Lay Ministry Weekends, Discipleship Weekends and teaching Soul Winning courses. Rudy had a concern for the people who did not know Jesus and was ready to witness to anyone who was willing to listen as he shared the way to salvation,   He was an ordained deacon for over 50 years, taught Sunday School in several departments, and served on many committees.  He was a member of First Baptist Church in Port Arthur for many years and since moving to Brenham, TX in 2009 was a member of Brenham’s First Baptist Church. Rudy was also a Mason and member of Masonic Lodge No. 1264 in Port Arthur.

Rudy was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, George, Ertle and Billy and two sisters, Frances Russ and Freda Fay Dillard. He is survived by his wife, Lavangie Prejean Dillard of 71 years 11 months, one daughter, Robyn Ann McGuiness Lonero (Larry), and three granddaughters, Madison Marie (Maddie) McGuiness, Courtland Leigh McGuiness, and Riley Erin McGuiness. Rudy is survived by four brothers, Craven, Gene, Danny and Jimmy; six sisters, Patricia White, Janet Herbison, Sue Hilker, Carolyn Rutledge, Judy Adams, and Linda Lewis. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Rudy was an avid fisherman and deer/elk hunter and loved to share his experiences with anyone who was willing to listen. He also loved to have a large garden in which he enjoyed working in and was always willing to share with his friends more than he kept.

We are grateful for the excellent care nurse Truby Toner, aid Keerra Garrett and all the other nurses and aids that helped take care of Rudy while under the care of Brazos Valley Hospice. We also want to thank Joan Ivory for her dedicated love and service while caring for Rudy as his caretaker,

Serving as pall bearers will be Jim Herbison, Don Jenkins, Manuel Provencio, Billy Thaler, Derek Ward, and Jack Wilson.

A funeral service for Rudy Dillard will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church of Port Arthur 3948 FM 365 Port Arthur, TX 77642, with a gathering of family and friends from 10:00 AM until service time at the church. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves.

In lieu of flowers, donate to your favorite charity or St. Jude Children’s Hospital in loving memory of Rudy Dillard.