William J. Dillon

DILLON, WILLIAM “DILL” JEROME, 59, of Henrico, departed this life Sunday, December 17, 2017. He was preceded in death by his father, Roosevelt Dillon.

Virginia Union University lost one of its all-time athletic heroes. A native of Detroit, Mr. Dillon played for VUU from 1979 to 1982. Mr. Dillon was a three-time Associated Press Little All-American safety for VUU under former Coach Willard Bailey and helped usher the Panthers into the national football spotlight. Mr. Dillon was brilliant as a ball-hawking safety, recording 30 career interceptions and twice being named CIAA Defensive Player of the Year. While he was at VUU, the Panthers posted a 38-8-1 record and made their first four appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs. He was selected to the AP’s Little All-American team as a sophomore, junior and senior. In the Spring of 1983, he was initiated at the Virginia Union University Chapter, the Alpha Gamma (E) of Kappa Alpha Psi (8-AG-1983). A Life Member of the fraternity, he remained actively involved with Alpha Gamma alumni and the Richmond (VA) Alumni Chapter.

Following his football career, Mr. Dillon became a prominent high school basketball official and excelled in softball. He is a member of the Central Virginia ASA Hall of Fame, in addition to being named to the VUU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008. Since his passing, he was nominated for the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame. His name appeared on ballots sent to more than 12,000 National Football Foundation members and current Hall of Famers.

He leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted wife, Stephanie Dillon; daughter, Takita White; sons, William Jerome Vines, Christopher and Brodie Dillon; nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild; mother, Gloria J. Gambrell; sister, Sheryl Childs; brothers, Raymond Gibson (Karen), James Holley Jr. (Channell), Darryl Dillon; sister-in-law, Lolita Brown; brother-in-law, Louis “Booney” Brown (Karen); a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.