Dillon J Barnhill

Dillon J. Barnhill… North Myrtle Beach, SC…August 23, 1015, at age 79, Dillon passed peacefully with his wife Dorothy, Beth and Valerie Scrivens at his side. Dillon was born to parents, Lafayette J. “Jerome” Barnhill and his mother, Elease Lightsey Barnhill, of the Maple section of Conway, on July 15. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Barnhill and his 3 daughters, Elizabeth Jean “Beth” (Kurt Scrivens), Tracie Diane(Roy Johnson) and Allison Elease (Jim Maple)… and his grandchildren, Trae Waller (Stephanie{Tracie}), Alexandra Waller (Tracie), Lane Dupree (Allison), Brooke Scrivens (Beth), Thomas Johnson (Tracie), Landon Johnson (Tracie), Weston Johnson (Tracie), Landen Maple (Allison), one very special great granddaughter, Emma Lea Waller (Trae & Stephanie {Tracie}), and special, honorary daughters, Cathy Bell, Rachel Long McKelvey , Michelle Ferguson Tysinger, Christie Smith, Kathy Shelley Garrell, Ashley Keaton Cox, Jennifer Hoffman Denard, Ann Marie Wheless Wessinger and Valerie Scrivens. He is predeceased by both parents, his sister, Elizabeth “Libby” Barnhill Anderson (Gene), his brother, M. ‘Wayne’ Barnhill, and his stepmother, Nancy Cox Barnhill. After graduation from high school in Conway, Dillon attended the University of South Carolina, then, enlisted in the United States Navy. Soon after his honorable military discharge, he met Diane, and they married, moving from Conway to the Beach area. He became President of the North Myrtle Beach branch of South Carolina National Bank(SCN) and enjoyed that for many years. Dillon was also an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina, where he taught finance and banking. Also during this time, he and Diane owned a contracting company, building many houses in the North Myrtle Beach and Cherry Grove areas. Soon, they opened and operated The Embers Supper Club in North Myrtle Beach, clothing stores- The Beach Shop in Ocean Drive and Fontaines in Surfside Beach, The Back Ally and The Barrel-night clubs in Ocean Drive, Barney & Earls convenience stores in Ocean Drive and North Myrtle Beach and the OD Sundries (beach/market) store on Ocean Boulevard, beside the Beach Shop. Because of his civic pride and love of his community, Dillon began working with others to better the area for each resident and their growing families. Dillon was Charter President of the North Myrtle Beach Rotary Club, believing in the fundamentals of the organization. He supported all aspects of the North Myrtle Beach community, and, with a few of his many friends, Robert Edge, Dick Elliott, J. Robert Carter, John Jenrette, J.O. Baldwin, Johnny Causey, Merlin Bellamy, Bryan Floyd, Pat Bellamy,Sonny Nixon, Albert Wheless, Gillett Lewis… and so many others, established the city, independently known as North Myrtle Beach. He also worked with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce to establish a Chamber satellite office in North Myrtle Beach, giving the city of North Myrtle Beach their first Visitors Center. Additionally, he was on the Horry County Police Commission, forming and establishing Public Safety and EMS to the residents of Horry County. Dillon and Diane also worked with many organizations- the American Heart Association- telethons at WCOX in Myrtle Beach, MDA, the Shriner’s Hospital, the North Myrtle Beach/Horry County PTA, the local Cancer Drive of Horry County and so many others, to raise money and public awareness on their causes. After he left the bank, Dillon managed Escod Industries, an intercontinental technology company, built the Palace Resort in Myrtle Beach, then went on run the Holiday Inn franchises in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. Before retirement, Dillon managed Mullins Enterprises, encompassing car dealerships, hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, apartments and night clubs in South Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky. Later, after he retired, he moved to New York, consulting for a growing family business, where hemet Dorothy. They married and enjoyed traveling, their families, church functions, friends and all that life had to offer… Then, after his unfortunate onset of illnesses, she became his constant companion and loving caregiver. But, most importantly, Dillon loved his friends and family. He loved his girls and their friends that he called his own. Many days and nights were spent with him, his guitar, friends and family, singing our hearts out, to ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ , ‘Bad, Bad Leroy Brown’, ‘Old Cotton Fields Back Home’ …and so many other Country, Motown and Blues hits of that era… His life has been filled with respect from his colleagues, friendship, love, laughter, music and so much quality time with his family, children,and friends. Dillon… Daddy… Mr. D… or Grand Daddy … was a man of honor…a man that loved, trusted and respected those that he called friends and family… His smile and a head nod was as good as his handshake…whereas, both meant something to him…and meant something to others… He was a man of his word. We ask that you join us, for a celebration of his life- Visitation will be on Saturday, August 29, 2015 from 11AM – 1 PM at Lee Funeral Home, with the funeral service immediately to follow in the Chapel. The processional will then proceed to Hillcrest Cemetery on 544 (behind Coastal Carolina University). Flowers can be ordered from Buds and Blooms, 843-399-2837… Or, in lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor, can be made to the North Myrtle Beach Rotary Club, PO Box 823, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597or the Jewish Home Auxiliary, where he spent his final days, at 2021 Winton Road South, Rochester, NY 14618. Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family. $(document).ready(function(){ });

Dillon J Barnhill

July 15, 1936 - August 22, 2015