Paul Wilson Dillon

1926 - 2024

Paul Wilson Dillon

August 4, 1926 - July 18, 2024

Hutchinson, Kansas - Paul Wilson Dillon, 97, passed away at home in the early afternoon of July 18, 2024, surrounded by the boundless love of family and caregivers. Earlier that morning, he picked with assistance a bouquet of brightly-colored zinnias to give family later in the day-flowers he and his recently deceased wife Ruth grew and joyfully gifted for years. Kindnesses such as this, enabled by a bountiful home, a knack for growth, and an attentive nature, characterize Paul's life.

Born on August 4, 1926, to parents Clyde and Flora (Jones) Dillon, Paul lived in Hutchinson, Kansas, for all but five years of his life. Service in the Navy during WWII and a college degree in 1950 from the University of Kansas, where he was a Phi Kappa Psi fraternity leader, comprised his years away. After meeting Ruth (Muirhead) on a blind date arranged by a childhood friend, Paul fell in love quickly and married Ruth at First Methodist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, on August 19, 1949. The two shared a long and fortunate life filled with respect, good humor, world-wide adventure, family traditions, and the best of friends.

Paul lived in five Hutchinson homes, the first on the corner of 15th and Main, near his grandmother's and a block from Dillons grocery store #8, and the last two in a neighborhood selected to reside near family and friends. Paul and Ruth cherished their last home, on Kisiwa Parkway, for 53 years.

In younger years, Paul ran track, earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and enjoyed family rock-hunting and camping trips. He assisted his father and Uncle Ray, along with cousins Ace and Dick, in nearly every aspect of Dillons grocery stores. When Paul was 15, his father died tragically, and invaluable support came, as it did throughout his life, from his mother, sister Betsy, Uncle Ray and Aunt Stella, cousins Ace and Dick, Hutchinson's First Presbyterian Church, the extended Dillons community, and Boy Scout Troop #1 (Troop #301).

Family business roots-a successful Hutchinson-area brickmaking business led by his maternal grandmother Lura Chase Jones and the Dillons grocery store business on his father's side of the family-shaped Paul's work ethic and dedication. As with his entire life, Paul's career as Dillons Secretary-Treasurer exhibited fairness, foresight, ingenuity, and good will. For Paul, being on time meant arriving at least five minutes early, and he was always early. He impressively balanced work, family, fun, and friendship, and when faced with life's challenges responded with curiosity and commitment.

Throughout his life, Paul kept close relationships, including ones with friends he'd run track and scouted with in his youth. He eagerly picked up family and friends for golf, tennis, lunch, dinner, or celebrations at Prairie Dunes Country Club and other local venues. A Scoutmaster for decades in Hutchinson Troop #1, Paul received regional and national awards and positively influenced hundreds of Scouts for whom Paul's expression, "Good night, Scouts," lives on with highest regard.

Strong believers in service to community, Paul and Ruth were among the founders of the Hutchinson Community Foundation, where Paul served as an investment advisor for over 25 years. He volunteered whenever he could, most recently at the Delos V. Smith Senior Center assisting with computers.

Paul relished picnicking and skiing in Aspen and teaching his children and grandchildren to ski. He was always the last one off the mountain, even with a broken shoulder, and put away his skis in his mid-80s without announcing his last run down the mountain. Other favorite activities included swapping stories, traveling, gardening, birdwatching, especially for orioles, fishing, curating fish tanks, any family event, giving grandkids tractor rides, and hobbies that created items he could give away.

To thousands he gifted "Paul's Pickles," over 300 hooked rugs, and more than 10,000 reindeer made of wood and catalpa leaves from the family farm outside Hutchinson. Paul grinned quickly, paid bills as early as possible, prized making "Dad and Grandpa eggs," preferred plaid flannel shirts, khaki pants, and white socks (much to Ruth's dismay), craved homemade grape ice cream, favored huskies, and loved teasing Ruth. When you shared time with Paul Dillon, he and you felt special.

An unflappable and admirable team, Paul and Ruth lovingly raised three remarkable children: David Dillon, Ann Ramseyer, and Mary Dillon. Paul remains a beloved father, grandfather to nine, and great-grandfather to 17 (and one on the way). His was a loved and loving son, son-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, cousin, nephew, father-in-law, and friend. He is preceded in death by his wife of nearly 75 years, Ruth Dillon; his parents; his Uncle Ray and Aunt Stella; his cousin Ace and wife Betty and Paul's cousin Dick, and many close friends and family members.

Survivors include Paul and Ruth's children, Dave and Dee Dillon, Ann and Rob Ramseyer, and Mary Dillon and Jon Hafker; his sister, Betsy Turner, Carolyn Dillon (Mrs. Dick Dillon); grandchildren, Jeff and Tracy Dillon, Heather Dillon and Brad Poos, Katy Dillon and Ryan Cook, Ruthie and Ryan VanDever, Rob and Charlie Ramseyer, Alan and Elyse Ramseyer, Jake Esau, Justin Esau and Allison Recupero, and Pete Esau and Aaron Hepps; great-grandchildren, Brooks, Lucy, Lily, Hank, Ollie, Rosie, Teddy, Ben, Harper, Dillon, Jane, Molly, Robby, Tad, Alden, Sammy, and AJ. Special thanks to Paul's caregivers, all of whom love him and champion his gentle spirit and sometimes ornery nature.

Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, August 3, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Sherman St., Hutchinson, with a reception following at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to First Presbyterian Church, Delos V. Smith Senior Center, Dillon Nature Center, and the Hutchinson Community Foundation care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.