Dec. 5, 1938 – March 28, 2014

NATCHEZ — Services for Louis Wade “Matt” Dillon, 75, of Natchez, who died peacefully at home Friday March 28, 2014, will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Carl Smith officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez National Cemetery with full Masonic rites under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the funeral home.

Mr. Dillon was born Dec. 5, 1938, in Red Lick, the son of Willie Ray Dillon and Louise Phillips Dillon.

Matt retired from International Paper Company after 40 years of service in the Maintenance Department. He spent his military service with the Mississippi National Guard. He was a member of Washington Baptist Church, past master of Andrew Jackson No. 2 Masonic Lodge and past patron of the Natchez Chapter of No. 75 Order of the Eastern Star. He was a lifetime member of the Good Sam Club and assistant wagonmaster for 10 years for the Mississippi Good Sam Club.

He enjoyed photography, woodworking and was an avid outdoorsman, who loved to hunt and enjoyed RVing with his wife, Grace, in all the continental 48 states and Alaska. They traveled to Europe, Australia, South Africa, South America, Canada and Mexico, RVing in most of these countries.

Matt was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Williw Eugene Dillon; one son, Steve Kelly; and brother-in-law Sherwin Stephens.

Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Grace Dillon; two sons, Keith Dillon and wife, Carol, and Kurt Dillon and wife, Ginger; one daughter, Tammy Kelly, all of Natchez; grandchildren Christopher Kelly and wife, Renee, Travis Logan, Erica McDaniel, Garrett McDaniel, Hailey Wroten and Kaitlin Dillon, Pappaw Matt loves them with all his heart; two sisters, Myra Chapman and husband, John, and Mary Stephens; one sister-in-law, Margaret Dillon; and numerous nieces, nephews, many other relatives and close friends, too many to name.

Pallbearers will be Christopher Kelly, Garrett McDaniel, Joel Stephens, Eugene Chapman, David Ferry and Tracy “Bubba” Wroten.

Honorary pallbearers will be Alton Roberts and Frank Rhinehart, longtime friends, members of the McDonald’s Coffee Club and his Masonic brothers.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Pleasant Acre Day School at P.O. Box 1362, Natchez, MS, 39121.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.