John Simpson Dillard, 86, of Gallipolis, passed away on Monday, December 3, 2012, at King’s Daughters Medical Center, Ashland, Kentucky.

He was born June 22, 1926, in Emmett, West Virginia, son of the late Ben and Pearl McGraw Dillard. He was married to Edith Maxine Trent Dillard on February 29, 1948, in Sand Lick, W.Va., and she preceded him in death on March 30, 2005. John was a coal miner and a member of Addison Freewill Baptist Church.

Surviving are his children, Sandra (James) Gillispie of Given, W.Va., Donna S. Barrick, Nina Bias, Marsha (Jim) Ward, John K. (Tammy) Dillard and Terry Dillard, all of Gallipolis; grandchildren, Terri (Todd) Pauley, Debbie (Scott) Lane, Kim Shamblin, Mike (Micki) Gillispie, Jamie (Brian) Thompson, Jason Barrick, Jill (Nick) Pelfrey, Tyler (Clarissa) Ward, and Kelci Dillard; 11 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Ted Dillard of Gallipolis.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Edith Dillard, John was preceded in death by an infant son, Jerry Dillard, a daughter, Linda Shamblin, one sister, Luella Hatfield and one brother.

Services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, December 7, 2012, at Willis Funeral Home with Pastor Rick Barcus officiating. Burial will follow in Maddy Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. prior to the service.

Please visit www.willisfuneralhome.com to send e-mail condolences.