Charlie Dillard

Sgt. Dillard was one of the first NCO's I met when I was stationed at Ft. Lewis after basic training. He looked after all of us new "kids" like he was our big brother. He looked after us through a move to Germany and a deployment in Iraq. He treated all of us like family and opened his house and family to us not just during holidays but all the time. He made our lives more tolerable even during the worst of situations with his Texarkana wit and his never ending optimisim. Sgt. Dillard affected more lives than he probably knew and he will be sorely missed. Rest in peace brother.

There are to many memories. Our families spent so much time together, most of the time at SSG Shields house. The kids would be busy playing and all the adults were playing poker, watching football, BBQing. I remember Katie and my oldest son were best friends in kindergarten, my son mentioned he had a crush on Katie and Charlie's words were "you better keep it in your pants boy". I know I haven't seen Charlie in so many years, but atleast twice a year we'd catch up (online) and wish each other a happy birthday (he shared a birthday with my daughter), our wish each other happy holiday and sometimes just a "hey hope you and your family are doing well". Thank you for your friendship Charlie. You will definitely be missed...

Our other neighbors house caught on fire one night... I looked out the door to see what the noise was and it was engulfed! Wes and charleigh both ran over there because I couldn't get the home owner on the phone. Weston busted out a window and they both went through the house looking for Trey, not knowing he wasn't home. Charlie was a loud life loving feller who loved his friends hard. I'll miss seeing eachother over the fence and hollering out and hearing him say "Hey miss Sam!". He loved helping with ANY project, knowing wes didn't ever want to ask for help, so he'd come over and talk while wes worked and of course insert himself into the project. We miss you already.

Fly high brother. You have left some great memories with lots of people. I remember when you decided to join the military. You was very excited and determined to give it everything.

I taught Charlie in high school. He was a great kid . Loved him dearly! Hugs to his family. I’m praying for you.🙏❤️🙏