Franklin Lee “Frank” Dillard, beloved husband, father, cherished PawPaw, and dear friend, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2026, at the age of 73.

Frank lived a life centered around the people he loved most—his family, his friendships, and the countless people fortunate enough to know him. He never met a stranger. With an easy smile, a kind heart, and a larger-than-life personality, Frank made everyone feel welcome. He was selfless, dependable, and always ready to lend a helping hand without expecting anything in return. With a ginormous heart and a contagious sense of humor, he made life richer for everyone around him. Whether offering advice, showing up when someone needed him, or simply making people laugh, Frank left every person he met a little better than he found them.

Born on November 1, 1952, Frank grew up in Buena Vista, Georgia, and took great pride in where he came from. He treasured lifelong friendships, including many dear friends from high school who remained close throughout the years. As class president, Frank embraced the role of bringing people together and seemed to believe it was his job to keep people connected for the rest of his life. Buena Vista—and especially the family farm—always held a special place in his heart. Near the end of his life, caring for his donkeys brought him so much joy, and he loved sharing the peace and beauty of the farm with family and friends.

Frank proudly attended Auburn University, where he earned a degree in Business Management and became a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Auburn was something he loved deeply, and the friendships and memories made there stayed with him throughout his life.

Fall Saturdays were sacred to Frank. Family and friends could always count on hearing him cheer, “Touchdown Auburn!” After witnessing Auburn’s unforgettable 17–16 “Punt Bama Punt” victory over Alabama, he made a promise to himself to never leave a game early—and he never did.

Last fall, one of Frank’s greatest joys was taking his family to Auburn together, including his six-month-old granddaughter, Madeline, for her very first Auburn game. It was a memory he treasured.

Frank had a long and highly successful career with BellSouth, where he worked for 33 years as a National Account Executive. To Frank, BellSouth was much more than work—it was family. He built lifelong friendships there, and coworkers affectionately knew him as “Fluffy.” He was respected for his leadership, warmth, loyalty, and genuine care for others. His generosity extended far beyond his career. Throughout his life, Frank donated more than 10 gallons of blood, a remarkable gift that had the potential to help more than 240 people. Helping others wasn’t something Frank did occasionally—it was simply who he was.

Of all the titles Frank held in life, being “PawPaw” was the one he cherished most. His grandchildren were the light of his life, and nothing brought him greater happiness than spending time with them, making memories, and simply being together.

Frank is survived by his son, Franklin Lee Dillard II and wife, Alicia; his daughter, Cassie Kemp Mack and husband, Jordan; and his adored grand girls, Audrey (“Cutie Pie”) and Madeline (“Sugar Bear”), who brought endless joy to his life.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Cheryl Kemp Dillard, with whom he shared nearly 40 wonderful years of marriage, as well as his parents, Mary Helen Brady Dillard and Homer Louis Dillard.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 11, at 3:00 p.m. at Greater Life Baptist Church in Midland, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Frank leaves behind a legacy of kindness, laughter, loyalty, and love. And on fall Saturdays, many will smile imagining they can still hear him cheering, “Touchdown Auburn!”