Emry S. Dilday

Emry Solomon Dilday, age 83, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away on June 2, 2025.
Emry was born on July 18, 1941, in Springfield, Missouri, to Emry and Violet (Haverley) Dilday. His father passed away before he was born, and he was raised by his mother, a special education teacher, and his aunt, Pansy Haverley, a physical education teacher.
In 1959, Emry graduated from Parkview High School, where he was a standout in track, winning state titles in the high hurdles during both his junior and senior years. He went on to attend Drury University, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Growing up, he spent summers with relatives in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, which led to him becoming a lifelong Arkansas Razorbacks fan.
On July 17, 1965, Emry married Elizabeth (Betty) Louise Bauer and they wasted no time starting their family, with Bill being born in 1966, Missy in 1967, and Bob in 1968. They built and shared a wonderful life filled with family, friends, and cherished memories that include attending their children's and grandchildren's activities, float trips, camping, and traveling. Together, Emry and Betty hosted many gatherings, with a favorite being the annual Turkey Bowl Party held on Thanksgiving Eve, the night before the Turkey Bowl football game on Thanksgiving Day, a tradition started by himself and three life-long friends (Charlie Williams, Tom Bauer, and Dave Trowbridge) and which continues to this day.
Emry loved the outdoors. During high school and college summers, he worked as a counselor at YMCA Camp Wakonda. Later, he became Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 210, leading groups on week-long trips to Camp Arrowhead and backpacking trips to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. To help fund these trips, he helped start the incredibly successful Boy Scout Yard Sale held every Father's Day weekend at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Springfield, Missouri. He remained involved in the sale until the end, enjoying the lasting relationships he built with the parents who volunteered.
Emry's passion was in sports and working with teenagers and student athletes. While in college, he started officiating football. He retired in 2006 after 43 seasons officiating high school football and 36 years at the college level, but remained a registered football official for 61 years. Emry held the prestigious role of referee – the one wearing the white hat – for 41 years in high school football and 25 years in college football. Emry officiated roughly 60 games in the state football playoffs of the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA), including nine state championship games. Emry worked with numerous officials over the years, but his main crew consisted of Bill Rainey, Larry Stineburg, Ron Snodgrass, Craig Kelley, Dave Sturdivant, Guy Weiland, and Don Claxton.
At the state level, Emry served as Executive Director for the Southwest Missouri Football Association for 53 years, was a football rule interpreter for 40 years, served as a state football official observer for 26 years, and was a football officials' liaison coordinator for the Show-Me Bowl for 35 years. At the national level, Emry served on the National Federation Rules Committee for 20 years, was President of the National Federation Officials Association for ten years, served as Chair of the National Federation Mechanics Committee for eight years, and was Chair of the National Federation Training Committee for six years.
In addition to his work in high school and college football, Emry served as rule interpreter in cross country and track and field. He was involved in officiating MSHSAA championship events in softball, baseball, basketball, track and field, and cross country. In 2012, he was the MSHSAA girls track and field official of the year; in 2019, he served as the official starter at the state cross country meet; and in 2020, he was the MSHSAA cross country official of the year.
Emry was inducted into the Springfield, Missouri Area Sports Hall of Fame, the Southwest Missouri Football Officials Association Hall of Fame, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, and the National Federation High School Sports Hall of Fame.
In 1982, Emry volunteered as an assistant track coach at Springfield Catholic High School in Springfield, Missouri. This would lead to him becoming a permanent fixture at the high school, driving the bus to sporting events, supervising games as an assistant athletic director, and becoming the girls track head coach. Over the years, he coached hundreds of boy and girl athletes, all of whom held a special place in his heart.
Emry will be remembered for his kindness, unwavering dedication, quiet wisdom, patience, selfless nature, and sense of humor. He loved a good prank, had a gift for storytelling, and had a laugh that made everyone smile. His positive influence touched the lives of student athletes, officials, coaches, and administrators, as well as his family and countless friends.
Emry is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty Dilday; his son, William Dilday (Scott Oliphant) of The Villages, Florida; his daughter, Melissa Facklam (Jeff) of Republic, Missouri; and his son, Robert Dilday (Christy) of Springfield, Missouri. He is also survived by his granddaughters, Courtney Devlin of Asheville, North Carolina; Kelly Stephens of Evergreen, Colorado; and Emily Facklam of Boulder, Colorado; his grandsons, Matthew Dilday (Laken) of Rogersville, Missouri; David Dilday of Springfield, Missouri; and Colby Facklam of Kansas City, Missouri; and his great-grandson, Callan Dilday of Rogersville, Missouri.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 8, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Springfield, Missouri. A funeral mass will take place on Monday, June 9, at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, followed by burial at Resurrection Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boy Scout Troop 210 at Immaculate Conception Church, 3555 S Fremont Springfield, MO 65804 OR to the Springfield Catholic High School Track and Field program at 2340 S Eastgate Ave, Springfield, MO 65809.
The family would like to thank Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home and Immaculate Conception Church for their care and guidance.
Emry's Memorial Slideshow can be viewed here.