Albert Stephen Dillon, Jr.

Albert Stephen Dillon, Jr. , age 98, left his earthly home on Friday, March 8, 2024, following a recent decline in his health. Bert, as his family and friends called him, was the only son to Janet MacLaren Dillon and Albert Stephen Dillon. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Sarah Stapleton Dillon, in 2008 and a nephew, Jackson Flanders (Cindy) from Baker, Fl. 

 Albert S. Dillon is survived by 2 nephews , George Launius ( Nancy) of Madison , GA., Scott Stapleton ( Catherine) of Stapleton, GA., and 3 nieces, Susan Sheppard ( James) of Stapleton, GA., Luann Staulcup ( Gene) of Augusta, GA. , and Luci Dunn of Milledgeville, GA. , along with great nieces and nephews and great, great nieces and nephews. 

 Bert was born on October 21, 1925, at the hospital in Biltmore, North Carolina, which later became part of Asheville, North Carolina, He was born with a heart murmur which made him unable to play sports and denied acceptance into the Navy. 

 In October of 2022, for a 97th birthday weekend with nieces and nephews, he was taken to Asheville, NC, where he fulfilled his dream of revisiting his homeplace , a small country cottage that stood on a hill in the neighborhood where he played and attended school. 

 With influence from his high school debate team coach, Bert applied to UNC at Chapel Hill and was awarded a scholarship. He waited tables to pay the balance of his tuition. 

 Albert S. Dillon earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree from the University of North Carolina in June, 1946. He was a huge Tar Heel fan and supported his alumni both in life and death. 

 He earned the American Institute of Accountants certification in April , 1949 and was awarded his Certified Public Accountant license from the State of Georgia in March, 1950. 

 Following his marriage to Sarah in 1953, they built a wonderful life together with his work taking them to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1960. 

 In 1965, they moved to South America, first to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and in 1971 to Sao Paulo, Brazil, where Bert worked for the South American Firm of Price Waterhouse. They enjoyed extensive travel throughout the world, hosting National and International business visitors and their wives, working to pull it together under one roof. 

 An article entitled “the Democratic years of A.(Bert) S. Dillon, Jr. - 1974-1983 was written by a fellow colleague, who wrote, “ Bert Dillon will be remembered by those in South America who had the privilege of working with and for him as a man with a very special personality who always put interests of others first. He was intelligent, highly rational,absolutely extremely fair in all his opinions and judgements. His desire to please the interests of others before his own was perhaps one of his best known characteristics. He had a natural way of getting two opposing parties to compromise, to travel down a road together.”

 At Bert’s retirement ceremony during the November 1982 annual partner’s meeting, recorded in the minutes are words of appreciation for Bert’s outstanding contribution to the South American firm during the 18 years he was with it and especially during the latter 9 years during which he was its Senior Partner. Special emphasis was made on his exceptional leadership which was stated to be the main reason that Bert will always be remembered by his partners as one of the greatest Senior Partners the South American Firm has ever had.

 Following retirement, they moved to Atlanta, bringing along their only child, a small dog, that only understood 

Portuguese and was called “DD” . Atlanta was home for 12 years before moving to Big Canoe in 1995. 

In 2001, Bert and Sarah made their final move to Lanier Village Estates, Gainesville, GA. Bert and Sarah became active members of First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville, where he served as an Elder and Treasurer for a number of years. They shared their time and talents in various areas of the community. 

 Into his mid 90’s, Bert continued to travel to Europe to attend a meeting over a good meal with any remaining work associates from Price Waterhouse . Bert always coupled this trip with an adventure on the sea or land with Sarah, while she was living, and alone, following her death. 

 Bert Dillon was known by all to be the “Perfect Gentleman”. He was very intelligent, a world traveler, kind, gentle, generous, and fun to share conversation with. He had a hearty laugh and loved gathering with friends and family over a simple or elegant meal, complete with a glass of wine. All who knew him, adored and respected him. 

He cherished friendships and family. 

 Albert Dillon made a difference and left his mark on this earth. He will continue to live in our hearts and minds until we see him again. 

 A memorial service will be held in the Chapel at Lanier Village Estates on Saturday, March 23rd, at 10:00AM. 

 The family is requesting, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville, GA. 

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.