-Bill Dills-
1934-2017

Bill Dills, 82, of McKinleyville, CA, went home to the Lord in the early hours of January 24, 2017 following complications of congestive heart failure.

Bill was born in Franklin, NC on March 9, 1934, the only child of William Luther (Luke) and Hallie Louise Husscusson Dills. In 1948, Luke, Hallie, and Billy moved with several other families to Orick, CA to join the logging industry. As a young man, Bill worked for the local garbage company and later at Cal Barrel. In 1958, he joined the US Army and was stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA where he was a heavy equipment operator. There he met his buddy George Davis, who was also from the Arcata-McKinleyville area. Bill and George both went on to serve during the Korean Campaign, and remained lifelong friends. Upon returning from service in 1962, Bill worked for Simpson Redwood Company (later known as Simpson Timber Company and now Green Diamond) for 37 years, where he enjoyed operating heavy equipment again. He operated logging (Arch) cats and blade cats, but his favorite was the D8-K which he mainly used for building roads and working in the rock pit. He had fond memories of his friends and co-workers: The late Otho (Woody) Smith, Charlie Jasper, Bob Steeves, John Benge, Don Smith, Doug Davis, George Davis, and many more.

In 1958, Bill married Phyllis (Baker) Dills. They raised three children together: Thomas Dills, Susan Dills Blevin, and Luther “Gerald” Dills. In 1995, Bill married Nita, who passed in 2012. He was a social, active man, whose hobbies included hunting, camping, and travelling with his family (and George’s too). Bill created a family tradition of taking his family to distribute Thanksgiving meals to those living in rural communities of Humboldt County every year. He was a member of the Dows Prairie Grange for many years and enjoyed working at the Grange breakfasts during the 1980s and 90s with his mom, dad, and wife. Later in life, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and attending services at the Wesleyan Church of Redwoods in McKinleyville in the company of his Pastor and good friend Chuck Clark, and many other church friends whom he spoke fondly of.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents William Luther (Luke) Dills and Hallie Louise Husscusson Dills, uncles and aunts Earl and Mary Dills, Mel and Reba Williams, cousin Hoyt Dills, all of Westhaven, CA and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives from Franklin, NC and throughout the United States. He is survived by his son Tom Dills (Mary) and grandchildren Julie Gray and Jeff Dills of Mountain Home, Idaho; daughter Susan Dills Blevin (David) and grandchildren Kevin Blevin, Nate Blevin, Tyler Blevin, Bethanne Blevin, and Russell Blevin; son Luther “Gerald” Dills (Sally) of Tacoma, WA; and eight great- grandchildren. Bill is also survived by his first wife Phyllis Dills of McKinleyville.

A veterans’ graveside service will be held at 11am on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at Greenwood Cemetery in Arcata, CA, followed directly by a celebration of life at Wesleyan Church of Redwoods, 1645 Fischer Ave, McKinleyville. Bill’s family would like to thank the staff at St. Joseph’s hospital and Pastor Chuck Clark. Special thanks to Bill’s dear daughter Susan, who made it possible for him to live at home in his final years, and for being the one by his side during his final days.

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The obituary above was submitted by Bill Dills’ family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.