Mr. James Charles Dill

February 20, 1932 - November 16, 2019

James “Jim” Charles Dill, 87, Peculiar, MO, departed his earthly life to his heavenly home on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at Belton Medical Center in Belton, MO. Jim was born February 20, 1932 near March, (Dogtown) MO, a son of Albert and Dorothy (Austin) Dill. Jim spent his younger years on the family farm, attending Flint Ridge Grade School, Charity and Elkland High Schools, graduating in 1951, the year his basketball team went to state. After graduation, Jim enlisted in the U. S. Air Force, serving in the Korean Conflict in Japan, Korea and the Philippines. He returned to the United States serving six more years at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base in Grandview, MO. Jim married Shirley J. VanGilder on August 20, 1955 in Buffalo, MO. To this union were born two children, Susan L. Dill and James C. Dill, Jr. Jim retired from Farmland Industries as a Co-op manager at Sedalia and Pleasant Hill, MO. He then went to auto body school and spent the next few years enjoying his auto body business. He loved to ride his horse, “Patches”, on trail rides, jam with the group at Long Lane, singing and playing his guitar. He was saved as a young man at the Center Point Baptist Church and currently was an active member of the Peculiar Baptist Church, as long as his health permitted. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Merilee Laughlin. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley J. of the home; his two children, Susan L. and James C. Dill, Jr., both of Kansas City, MO; one granddaughter, Sarah J. Dill of Kansas City, MO; one great-grandchild, Wolfe Thomas Smith of Kansas City; and one brother, Gail & wife Darlene Dill of Springfield, MO. Jim will be missed by his family, friends and church family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at the Cantlon Otterness & Viets Funeral Home in Buffalo. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the Funeral Home. A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, November 22 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO.