Tyler Lee Dillard

On a clear, windy spring morning in 1988, Tyler Lee Dillard came into this world at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, Georgia.  On a warm, rainy summer night in July 2022, on his way home from work in Sky Valley, Georgia, Tyler tragically lost control of his vehicle, struck a tree and instantly departed his earthly body. Tyler was 34 years old.  Tyler loved his family, friends and community. 

Tyler was a graduate of Rabun County High School and attended Gainesville State College in Athens, Georgia.  Tyler was a man of action.  His family would say he had the work ethics of his namesake and great grandfather, Lee Poindexter. He started working at 12 years old.  Several of his employers say he was the best and hardest worker they ever had.  When Tyler left one job, he quickly eased into his next, making many friends along the way. Tyler’s chosen career was cooking, although he almost never cooked at home. 

As a child, Tyler had many wonderful holidays, vacations and adventures with his cousins in Georgia and Maryland.  He first accepted Jesus on a youth mission trip at Head of Tennessee Baptist Church.  In his youth, Tyler also enjoyed playing paint ball with many of his friends.  His love for this sport eventually waned, due in part to an eye injury he sustained after being hit with a paint ball by his well-meaning older brother, Trey.  (They had decided to remove their protective masks to better see the paint balls.)  Tyler was also an avid fan of football, especially his Georgia Bulldogs.  He often watched with his father, Eddie, and, depending on how the game was going, either together or yelling from separate rooms.

Tyler also took up the guitar, inspired by his love for great music, including Lynyrd Skynyrd, 311, and Pearl Jam.  He greatly enjoyed playing music with his buddies, and they even began writing some music of their own.  When he was 24, Tyler became the owner of a dog he shared with his previous girlfriend.  Renesmee, as they named her, became a cherished member of the family.       

Tyler had many lifelong friendships and many more developed as his love of golf grew.  Friends often spoke of his huge heart, caring manner, and polite ways- although he was known to throw out a few cuss words here and there.  Tyler was stubborn, but he was also truthful and would tell it like it is.  His friends and family cherished this trait.  He truly had an infectious smile that would light up a room.  Tyler enjoyed making trips to Cherokee and became a fan of roulette.  He made friends there, and they made several golf trips together.  Tyler also had a large group of friends he played golf with at Sky Valley.  On the Monday after his passing, they had a silent moment on Tee Box 1.  The golf ball is still waiting on the tee. 

When Tyler was 27, he became a dad.  Suzie has had his heart ever since.  He enjoyed trying to teach her to play guitar and golf.  They played frisbee golf and enjoyed time just hanging out and being silly together. It is truly tragic that on the day after Tyler’s death he could not keep his daddy/daughter date with Suzie.

Tyler leaves behind his parents Carolyn and Henry E. Dillard Jr. (Eddie), his daughter, Tyler Suzanne Dillard (Suzie), his brother Henry E. Dillard III (Trey) and sister-in-law Amber Reece, nephew Henry Riley and niece Amelia Reece.  Also surviving are many aunts, uncles and cousins; from Rabun County, Betty L. Dillard,  Henrietta and Jack Roberts, Lynn D. Wansley, David A. Dillard, Connie and Jeff Duvall, Derek and Stepanie Dillard, Julie and Bobby Speed, Melanie and Mike Martin, Amy and Lee Duncan, Louie and Ali Duvall, Elizabeth and Jerrod Davis; from North Carolina, Cathy and Bob Streahle; from Maryland, Ross Bowersett and Cathy Diamond, Chelsea and Tim Bender, Lea Diamond, Ryan Diamond and Justin Cox, Ross Bowersett III and Olivia Bowersett, Cindy and Mike Corbett, Chris Corbett and Jennie DeVous, and Wes Corbett.  Tyler also leaves behind many special coworkers and friends. 

Funeral services will be held at Beck Funeral Home in Clayton, Georgia on Friday, July 15, 2022.  Casual and/or golf attire requested.  His family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m.  A Celebration of Life will commence at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Gabe Southards officiating and one of Tyler’s first employers, Andy Hunter, speaking.  A procession will immediately follow to Wesley Memorial Cemetery in Dillard, Georgia, where Tyler will be laid to rest. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Richard’s Kids at P.O. Box 68, Clayton, Georgia 30525 or to Rabun County Bank where an account is being set up for the benefit of his daughter, Suzie Dillard. 

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.