Halford Leon Dillow

Halford Leon Dillow was born on July 1, 1941, the son of Leon and Edlein Dillow, in Union County and started his lifelong journey on the farm.  

Halford ended that journey on Jan. 29, 2021, at the age of 79.  

During the journey he married his lifelong partner and love of his life, Judy Sadler, and together, they raised two sons, Carl (Suzanne) and Steve.  

Halford passed his passion for the farm onto both of his sons, who are still active in the agricultural community.  

Steve is still operating and living on the family farm, which made him very proud, and Carl continues his work on the Union County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. 

 In the beginning of the journey, he drove a truck, first, at Bunny Bread and, then on construction, to help support his young family.   

He continued to farm during this time, putting in long hours and riding the wave of good and bad years on the farm.  

In the 1980s, he came back to the farm full time and saw his last harvest in 2020.  

Halford was also community minded and served his community in many areas.  

He was elected to three terms on the school board at Anna-Jonesboro Community High School, served many years on the Union County Farm Bureau board of directors, and served many years and was currently on the Union County Fair Board, serving as vice president for the last several years.  

One of Halford’s favorite places was “Fruit Belt,” where he spent most mornings talking to many friends in the ag community.  

One thing that was evident was the fact that he was very content just being on the farm in Union County, having been outside of the area only a handful of times.  

Halford is survived by his wife, Judy; two sons, Carl (Suzanne) and Steve; his soon to be 103-year-old mother, Edlein; three sisters, Kay Shukis (Paul), Marilyn Beanland (Ron) and Melinda Dillow;  grandchildren Kristen Hodges (Chris), Kasie Craft (Robert), Kenzie Dillow and Brock Buckner (Alexa); great-grandchildren Cash Hodges, Hunter “Leon” Craft, Cobie Hodges, Hayden Craft and Rhett Buckner; two extra special nieces, Ashlee Cunningham (Ted) and Shay Beanland (Bill Hadley), who he named “Digger” and “Fuss” early on in their lives; and two nephews, Shane Shukis (Kim) and Brett Shukis (Shelly); great-nieces and nephews, Ray, John and Paige Cunningham and Tyler and Blake Shukis; an aunt, Martha Dillow; along with many more friends and family.

Halford was preceded in death by his father, Leon Dillow; and an uncle, Henry Don Dillow.  

A graveside service was held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, at the Anna City Cemetery, with his son, the Rev. Carl Dillow, officiating. Interment immediately followed. 

Memorials can be made to Union County Farm Bureau Halford Dillow Scholarship Fund. Envelopes are available at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna.       

To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. 

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna was in charge of arrangements.