Walter Dillon

Walter Kinnard "Kin" Dillon, 82, died Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Mo.

He was born Aug. 17, 1920, at Morehouse, Mo., son of William H. and Melissa B. Kinnard Dillon. He and Dorothy Faust Jones were married July 5, 1952.

Kin attended Morehouse Grade School, Sikeston High School, Southeast Missouri State University, University of Missouri, and Parks Air College.

During his youth he was active in Republican politics and was the party's nominee for Congress, 10th Congressional District in 1946 and 1948.

He operated Dillon Theatre and Dillon Insurance Agency in Morehouse. After moving to Cape Girardeau he operated his own independent insurance adjuster service many years.

Kin then became managing officer of Cape Carriage Co. and Cape Motor Co. Later, he became an insurance claims consultant for Cameron Insurance Co. until his retirement. He and his wife moved to Springfield in September 2002.

He served during World War II in the 8th and 9th Air Forces in England and Germany with a rank of base sergeant major. He also served during the Korean Conflict in the 10th Air Force.

Kin was active at Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau; a longtime member of board of directors of SEMO Regional Port Authority in Scott City, serving as chairman of the board in 1997 and 1998; and was a member of Sikeston Lodge 310 AF&AM Scottish Rite, Capaha Scottish Rite Club, Moolah Shrine Temple and Cape Shrine Club.

He is survived by his wife of the home; son and daughter-in-law, Michael A. and Gloria Jones of Springfield; a son, Stephen R. Jones of Florissant, Mo.; a sister, Frankie Mae Woods of Merced, Calif., sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Douglas Hammock of Morehouse; sister-in-law, Juanita Dillon of Morehouse; grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Matt and Beverly Jones of Lees Summit, Mo., Brett Jones of Kansas City, and Scott Jones of St. Louis.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a sister.

Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. Masonic service will be at 7 p.m.

Funeral service will be Monday, Dec. 9, at Centenary United Methodist Church. Dr. Clayton Smith will officiate. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be members of Cape Shrine Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Shriners Children's Hospital or Centenary United Methodist Church.