Wendell Hoyt "Sonny" Dillard Jr.

Wendell Hoyt Dillard, Jr. "Sonny", 50, of Austin, passed away on Tuesday, September 6, 2011. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 9, 2011 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel, 393 North IH 35, Georgetown, TX. A service celebrating Sonny's life will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 10:00AM at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow at IOOF Cemetery, Georgetown, Texas.

Sonny was born March 11, 1961 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Wendell Hoyt Dillard, Sr. and Robbie Jean Goldsby Dillard. Sonny was raised in The Woodlands, TX area, graduating from high school there in 1979. He went on to attend Sam Houston State University. Sonny went to work for Footlocker at a young age as a Sales Clerk and worked his way to District Sales Manager. He was with Footlocker for over 15 years, before moving to Finish Line, Inc. Sonny has worked for Finish Line for the past 9 years, as District Sales Manager. As needed Sonny and his family were transferred to several cities including Austin, TX, Phoenix, AZ, Oklahoma City, OK, and back to Austin for the past four years. Currently Sonny was responsible for Finish Line stores in Austin, El Paso, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Laredo, Waco, Killeen and Las Cruses, NM. In 1994, Sonny met the love of his life, Tessie Ann Tucker; they were married in Lakeway on November 16, 1996. Sonny had a love for hunting and fishing and was an avid golfer. In younger years, Sonny was an experience Judo marksman, achieving high ranks in the Junior Olympics. His current passion was his daughter Audrey, who he enjoyed playing with all the time.

Sonny is preceded in death by his grandparents. Sonny leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 15 years, Tessie Dillard of Austin; his 21 month old daughter, Audrey Wade Dillard; his father and stepmother, Wendell and Beverly Dillard of Centerville; sister, Debbie Jean Smith and her husband Bob of Conroe; his in-laws, Duff and Pat Tucker of Florence; along with a host of other loving family, friends, hunting and golfing buddies and coworkers.

Sonny had a contagious personality and a loving heart. His legacy will live through his family and in the hearts of all those he touched along his life.

The family request in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to the "Sonny Dillard Memorial Fund" through the University Federal Credit Union. Donations should be mailed to:

University Federal Credit Union, Attn: Whitestone Branch, PO Box 9350, Austin, TX 78766

**please specify that your donation should be applied to the Sonny Dillard Memorial

Personal words of comfort may be sent to the family online at www.gabrielsfuneral.com.