William Lemuel Dillard was the oldest child of George M. and Mary
E. Smith Dillard. He was born January 4, 1869 near Pelham in
Spartanburg County, South Carolina. He attended the one-room school
house near Ebeneezer Church and was taught by Dr. Marchant. Due to
the chaotic conditions existing during the Reconstruction Period his
school days were short. However, he continued to read and study at
home. Thus in his early teens he was able to attend a full session at
Converse College in Spartanburg where on June 28, 1895 he was given a
certificate in bookkeeping.
In 1885, when he was sixteen years of age, he joined Mt. Tabor
Presbyterian Church located at Bailey's Cross Roads, about two miles
south of Greer. Later, when this church was moved to Greer and
renamed, he continued to be an active and faithful member. In 1915
he was made an elder and remained one until his death.
On September 22, 1897 W. Lemuel Dillard was married to Corrie
Belle Willimon by Rev. O. L. Durant. To this union were born the
following children: Robert Lee, Mary Louise, William Palmer, Lula
Frances, Walter Willimon, and Lucy (now deceased).
For several years Lem Dillard, as many knew him, lived near
Pelham where he was engaged in farming. About 1910 he and his family
moved near Greer, S. C. where he continued his farming interests. He
was among the pioneers of peach farming in Greenville County.
His children remember him as an honest, hardworking father who was
strict but kind in their upbringing. He was devoted to them and to
their mother. Learning from the school of experience the value of an
education he was determined to give his children the best education he
could. He had keen foresight and saw progress ahead for those willing
to work for it. He was a devout man who took his children to church
with him.
W. Lemuel Dillard died April 19, 1924 after several years of
declining health. He is buried in the Fulton Presbyterian churchyard
near Pelham.
The children are:
A. Robert Lee Dillard, born June 30, 1898, married June 12, 1931
to Sara Oliver Ross, born May 13, 1907. They have one
daughter, Marilu, born March 1, 1937, married February 14,
1959 to Charles Owens, Jr. of Columbia, S. C.
B. Mary Louise Dillard, born March 21, 1901, married John
Raymond Flynn, June 28, 1930. (J. R. Flynn, born August 31,
1899, died August 3, 1959). Their only child is John Raymond
Flynn, Jr., born August 14, 1936.
C. Lucy Perritt Dillard, born November 2, 1906, died May 6, 1907.
D. William Palmer Dillard, born June 25, 1904, married May 14,
1939 to Constance Hemphill, born January 21, 1904. Their
children are:
(1) Ann Elizabeth Dillard, born November 26, 1940.
(2) William Lemuel Dillard, II, born Oct. 1, 1943.
E. Lula Frances Dillard, born May 21, 1908, married April 9,
1930 to Charles Flint Rhem of Georgetown, S. C., born
January 24, 1901. They have one son, Charles Flint Rhem, Jr.,
born March 2, 1936.
F. Walter Willimon Dillard, born February 4, 1912, married
June 4, 1938 to Mildred Scott of Toccoa, Georgia, born
October 7, 1916. Their two sons are:
(1) Walter Scott Dillard, born April 27, 1939.
(2) Tony Willimon Dillard, born September 15, 1944.
