Mrs. William T. Dillard

Mrs. William T. Dillard, age 96, of Little Rock, Ark., passed away at her home on Feb. 19, 2013.

Born Alexa Latimer on Oct. 30, 1916, in Nashville, Ark., her parents were James Ison Latimer and Ruth Alice Skillern Latimer.

Alexa Latimer married William Thomas Dillard on June 9, 1940. Alexa Dillard and her husband, William Dillard, were a lifelong team, creating Dillard's Inc., which is now one of the nation's largest retailers. Alexa Dillard was a devoted wife and loving mother. Larger than life, she was a people magnet whose infectious laughter, kindness and love kept her family centered and left a lasting impression on all who met her. She and her husband were world travelers and loved fishing, football and basketball.

Alexa and William Dillard helped establish the UAMS Chair for Geriatric Medicine. She was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.

She is survived by three sons and two daughters, William Thomas Dillard II and his wife Mandy, Dennis Alexander Dillard and his wife Cannell, Drue Corbusier Matheny and her husband Craig, Denise Dillard Mahaffy and her husband Edward, James Michael Dillard and his wife Lynn.

Twelve grandchildren are Bill Dillard III, Todd Dillard, Amanda Shufeldt, Christopher Corbusier, Alexa Ann Arredondo, Alexandra Lucie, Annemarie Jazic, Michelle Dillard, Kathy Dorr, Betsy Dillard, Caitlin Mahaffy and Will Mahaffy.

Thirteen great-grandchildren include Wren Dillard, Georgia Dillard, Thomas Dillard, Ellis Dillard, Aiden Dillard, Margaret Shufeldt, Alexa Shufeldt, Drew Corbusier, Kenzie Corbusier, Madison Arredondo, William Dorr and Jack Dorr.

Two nephews and one niece are James Hearn Latimer, Glenn Latimer and Jan Latimer.

Special thanks to her devoted caregivers: Brenda S. Cole, Beatrice Nathaniel, Brandy M. Little, Danielle Shoemaker, Dorothy Jackson, Denise Tenpenny and June Thompson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Thomas Dillard; two brothers and one sister, James Hearn Latimer, Jimmy Latimer and Dorothy Latimer Tindall.

Pallbearers will be Bill Dillard III, Todd Dillard, Charlie Shufeldt, Christopher Corbusier, Joel Arredondo, Craig Lucie, Ante Jazic, Mike Dorr and Will Mahaffy.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Heart Association will be appreciated.

Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 W. 17th, Little Rock, Ark., 72206.

Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park, 2801 Asher Ave., Little Rock, 72204.

Visitation will be Thursday at Rubel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham, Little Rock, Ark., 72205.