Wilburn Dillon obituary: Wilburn Dillon's Obituary, Dove Topeka

In Memory Of
Wilburn Dillon
1940 - 2019

Obituary photo of Wilburn Dillon, Dove-KS
Obituary photo of Wilburn Dillon, Dove-KS

In Memory Of
Wilburn Dillon
1940 - 2019

Wilburn Dillon died September 12, 2019, at a Topeka hospital, following a brief illness, at age 79.

He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the son of Wilburn Dillon (Sr.) and Clara (Ogan) Dillon. His family moved from Tulsa to Stroud, Oklahoma, and eventually settled in Newton, Kansas. Wilburn completed high school in Newton and graduated from Bethel College in North Newton, while working for his father in their Oklahoma Tire & Supply (Otasco) store.

He married his college sweetheart, Evelyn Wiebe, on August 11, 1963. They took up residence in Topeka, where Wilburn obtained his law degree from Washburn University in Topeka in 1966.

Wilburn had a prolific legal career handling a wide variety of civil and criminal matters. He was regarded by his clients as a staunch advocate and by his peers as a formidable adversary. He also enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve JAG Corps and received a number of awards and commendations, rising through the ranks before retiring as a Colonel after more than 20 years of service.

Wilburn will be remembered for his love of his family, his sharp and clever wit, and his ruthless card playing. In his last few months, he took special joy in teaching his older grandson to play hearts.

Wilburn is survived by his wife, sons Mark (partner Thomas Jetland) and Michael (wife Elizabeth), three grandchildren, Kieran, Clara and Marshall and brother Martin (wife Beverly).

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., November 9, 2019, at the Southern Hills Mennonite Church in Topeka. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital Travel Fund, sent in care of the Arab Shrine,1305 S. Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66612

To leave a special message for the family click the Share Memories button above. The Dove Southwest Chapel assisted the family.
Wilburn Dillon died September 12, 2019, at a Topeka hospital, following a brief illness, at age 79.

He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the son of Wilburn Dillon (Sr.) and Clara (Ogan) Dillon. His family moved from Tulsa to Stroud, Oklahoma, and eventually settled in Newton, Kansas. Wilburn completed high school in Newton and graduated from Bethel College in North Newton, while working for his father in their Oklahoma Tire & Supply (Otasco) store.

He married his college sweetheart, Evelyn Wiebe, on August 11, 1963. They took up residence in Topeka, where Wilburn obtained his law degree from Washburn University in Topeka in 1966.

Wilburn had a prolific legal career handling a wide variety of civil and criminal matters. He was regarded by his clients as a staunch advocate and by his peers as a formidable adversary. He also enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve JAG Corps and received a number of awards and commendations, rising through the ranks before retiring as a Colonel after more than 20 years of service.

Wilburn will be remembered for his love of his family, his sharp and clever wit, and his ruthless card playing. In his last few months, he took special joy in teaching his older grandson to play hearts.

Wilburn is survived by his wife, sons Mark (partner Thomas Jetland) and Michael (wife Elizabeth), three grandchildren, Kieran, Clara and Marshall and brother Martin (wife Beverly).

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., November 9, 2019, at the Southern Hills Mennonite Church in Topeka. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital Travel Fund, sent in care of the Arab Shrine,1305 S. Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66612

To leave a special message for the family click the Share Memories button above. The Dove Southwest Chapel assisted the family.

Services & Gatherings

Celebration of Life

Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Southern Hills Mennonite Church

Southwest Chapel (785-272-9797) is assisting the family

Southwest Chapel (785-272-9797) is assisting the family

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