On Monday, December 18, 2023, Edward William Dillard, Jr. (aka, Dog Man Extraordinaire) was called from labor to his reward.

Ed, Jr. as he was affectionately called was born on July 21, 1961, to the late Edward and Gracie Dillard. He was preceded in death by his brother, Melvin (Lisa) Dillard.

Ed Jr. was born and educated in Amherst County, VA. Ed did a tour of duty for 15 years in the United States Air Force. After returning home, Ed started his own Barbershop business in Amherst and Appomattox County, not only having a brick & mortar he was also a traveling barber. Ed was multi-faceted and also an entrepreneur within his own rite.

Ed's passion has always been his dogs and he was totally a farm man, he liked the simple things in life, he did not demand a lot, he just wanted to live a simple life with his wife and dogs.

As long as you gave him good food (his wife's rice pudding), he was greatly satisfied.

Ed, Jr. was a huge Washington Commanders fan and loved watching WWE wrestling in his spare time.

He also loved nothing more than going down and spending time with his children and grandchildren, and oh how he was looking forward to this upcoming Fall when he'd get to watch his grandson play college football.

Ed will be greatly missed by those he came in contact with, especially his K9 community family.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Dee Dee of 13 years, and their children, Edward "Tre" Dillard, III, Keianna "Nay-Nay" Dillard Stewart, Corey Dillard, and Kyle Richardson; five grandchildren, Kameron Dawsey, Christian Peterson, Kallie Stewart, Edward Carsen Dillard, and William Conner Dillard; two brothers, Michael (Alice) Johnson and Michael (Kathy) Dillard; one sister, Sharon D. Younger; one brother-in-law, Kendall Richardson; two sisters-in-law; and Phyllis Dillard, a great friend and mother of their children and grandchildren; his one niece, Mia G. Lewis; two nephews, Dexter Lewis and Patrick Steptoe, Jr.; and other relatives and friends.

A homegoing celebration will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 23, 2023, at Timothy Baptist Church. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Service of comfort rendered by Davis-Turner Funeral Service.