Ray E. "Ace" Dillon Jr., loyal husband, father and grandfather, as well as a devoted member of the community, departed this life on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015. He passed on at his home, in Hutchinson, at 91 years old. Born in Hutchinson, he was the older of two sons of Ray E. Dillon Sr. and Stella Schmitt Dillon.

After graduating from Hutchinson High School in 1942, Ray Jr., nicknamed "Ace", went to Kansas University for one year before enlisting in the United States Army in 1944. In World War II, Ace was in the 9th Army Air Forces, 48th Fighter Group and 492nd Squadron. The accomplished Eagle Scout flew 92 combat missions in P-47 Thunderbolts from bases in France, Belgium and Germany. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 12 clusters, Ace continued in the Air Force through late 1945. He kept flying after the war as a private pilot for 51 years.

Upon returning from overseas, he married his college sweetheart, Betty Lou Lay in Wichita in 1946. They lived in Hutchinson. Betty died Sept. 5, 2014. Following in his father's footsteps, Ace learned all facets of Dillon Companies Inc. and was President and CEO for 26 years before it merged with Kroger in 1983. Afterward, he served on the Kroger Board of Directors for 11 years. Ace was a man who knew the difference between right and wrong and always, without fail, chose the former. He was an active member of his community, involved with many organizations and companies including the Board of Directors for the Kansas Park & Resources Authority, Prairie Dunes Country Club, Director of Hutchinson National Bank & Trust, Hutchinson Community Foundation, and Salt City Savings & Loan. He also served as an adviser for the Kansas University Business School. For all of his accomplishments, he was most proud of his family. Ace loved working alongside his father Ray Sr., brother Dick, and cousin Paul, during the expansive years of the Dillon Company growth. He was also a devoted father to his three children, who remember his quick wit.

Ace thoroughly enjoyed the mischievous things in life. He loved to playfully tease his golf buddies and razz up family members with his clever banter, always being a good sport when they gave it right back to him. He would often hush up a table of people at dinner so they could all witness him wiggle his ears, making the impressed onlookers erupt in laughter. His excellence on paper is impressive, but what he will most fondly be remembered for is his strength of character and love for his family, friends and community. Ace is survived by his three children, Diane Bueller, Butch Dillon, Janet Duval and their families.

Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church, 201 E. Sherman, with Reverend Mark H. Miller officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the McConnell Air Force Base Honor Guard. Inurnment will be in the church columbarium. Friends may sign the register book today through Friday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or the Hutchinson Community Foundation, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.