Ralph Dills

Canton-Ralph H. Dills-72 of Circle Drive died Wednesday, October 09, 2002 at Haywood Regional Medical Center.


He was a native of Haywood County but had previously lived in Buncombe County before moving back to Haywood County. He was a son of the late Charles and Eva Elders Dills. He was also preceded in death by one son, David Michael Dills who died in 1959. He retired from Champion International as a papermaker in 1997 with 37 years of service. He and his wife were lifelong sweethearts. They met when she was 12 and he was 16. His first job was with the Asheville Fish Market as a delivery boy. He was of the Baptist faith and was one of the premier upright bass fiddle players in Western North Carolina, having played with numerous bands. He also used to play live on WWNC AM Radio in Asheville. He was an avid Atlanta Braves Fan. He was a United States Army Veteran serving as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sue Dills, two sisters, Janet Turner of Waynesville, Lillian Dills of Smyrna, GA, one brother, Glenn Dills of Smyrna, GA, one niece, Jeannie S. Jump and her husband, John both of Irmo, SC, a sister-in-law, Doris C. Baxter of Canton, several other nieces and nephews and his loving Pekingese Dog, Chan.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 12, 2002 at the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Homes with Reverend James Huey and Reverend William O. "Bill" Henson officiating. Burial will follow at Crawford/Ray Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. At other times, the family will be at the home of his wife, Sue Dills, 477 Circle Drive, Canton, NC 28716. Serving as pallbearers will be John Jump, Lewin Burrell, Charlie Dills, Fred Henline, I. L. Sutton, Jr., Linton Wheeler and Lewin Burrell, Jr.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Haywood County Animal Welfare Association, P.O. Box 992, Waynesville, NC 28786 or to Meals on Wheels, 514 Marshall Street, Waynesville, NC 28786.

Previous Events