Billy Ray Dillingham

Billy Ray Dillingham, SPC USA, Marshall, N.C., age 62, passed away on September 16, 2024 at Mission Hospital.
Billy was born on Jan 29, 1962 at the 130th US Army Station Hospital in Heidelberg, Germany to the late Ray Edward Dillingham and Betty Sue Tipton Dillingham. Billy is survived by his daughter, Amanda Dillingham Greene (Jonathan) of Marshall; grandchildren, Grace, Annsley, Ava, and Gentry; sister, Theresa Dillingham Steingress of Asheville, favorite younger sister, Susan Dillingham Goforth (Jeff) of Marshall; and brother, Greg Dillingham (Ellen) of Marshall; nieces, Jenna Steingress Butler, Delaney Goforth; and nephew, Dalton Goforth.
After attending school at numerous worldwide locations Billy settled in at Marshall Elementary School in 1974 upon his father's retirement from the U.S. Army. He attended Madison High School where he participated in football and track & field. He loved science and was an avid student of history, Military History in particular, and especially the U.S. Civil War. Post education Billy worked for the N.C. Forest Service of Madison County assisting Rangers with wildfire emergency responses and other readiness duties. Billy's interest in fishing led to his memorizing the scientific names and habitats for all fish native to Western North Carolina, game and nongame species.
Billy's creative side manifested early in life when he developed another language soon after the birth of his younger brother, he continued using this for several months. His inventiveness continued in the creation of "personal names" for his parents and siblings, still used today by family members and friends. Billy led his siblings on many adventures traveling through "Mirkwood forest" and other local adaptations of classic fantasy literature and he also developed basic painting and guitar playing skills.
Billy proudly joined the U.S. Army in 1983, serving as a light wheeled vehicle mechanic and power generator repairman with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 307th Combat Engineer Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division. Billy was a graduate of the US Army Airborne School and performed over 45 parachute jumps from both fixed and rotary winged aircraft my Airborne School and performed Battal parachute jumps from both fixed and rotary winged aircraft. He served as motor pool platoon machine-gun section leader.
Billy's proudest moment during his military career, and life in general, was the birth of his daughter, Amanda Lauren. To say that Amanda was the apple of her daddy's eye would do a disservice to the love and devotion Billy felt for her.
Upon being honorably discharged in 1986, he became owner/operator of his own truck. He loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, back roads traveling, following and supporting NASCAR cup racing (Raise Hell and Praise Dale), being involved with community and religious organizations, tinkering on vehicles, and trying to help others.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, with Pastor Rusty Smart officiating, and military honors being presented.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in Billy's name to the Madison Seminary Baptist Church Building Fund, 1828 NC 213 Hwy., Marshall, NC 28753.