JULIA A. DILLARD, 64, of Winfield, passed away Wednesday evening, July 15, 2009, at William Newton Memorial Hospital after a short battle with a very progressive form of cancer.

Born February 17, 1945 in Winfield, she was the daughter of Ples and Thelma (Barnhill) Brantley. She was raised and received her education in Winfield and went on to graduate with two Associates degrees from Cowley College and later from Southwestern College with two Bachelor's Degrees.

Julia was united in marriage to James "Jim" Dillard on August 28, 1987 in Winfield. The couple made their home in Winfield. Mrs. Dillard worked for Rubbermaid and later for the Winfield State Hospital and Training Center. When the state hospital closed, Julia went to work for Binney & Smith Crayola Factory, until their closing. In May of 2000, she began working for the Kansas Department of Corrections at the Winfield Correctional Facility. She was currently a sergeant at the facility.

Julia was a member of the First Baptist Church in Winfield. She was a china painter and loved bluegrass music.

Her family includes:
Her husband: Jim Dillard of the home;
Her son: Marcus Land and spouse of El Paso, TX;
Her daughters: Shanie Maxwell and husband, Mike of Winfield; and Lee Smith and husband, Doug of Madison, AL;
Her step-sons: Dr. Sandy Dillard and wife, Jeanie of Wichita; and Kenneth Dillard and wife, Debbie of Winfield;
Her step-daughter: Rachel Hartley of Tampa, FL;
Her sister: Sondra Mae Jarvis of Williamsburg, SC;
Her grandchildren: Levi Andes of Winfield; Haley Smith of Alabama; Steven Venn of Bosria; Bethany Venn of Winfield; and Marcus and Matthew Land of El Paso, TX; and
Her step-grandchildren: Jon, Kay and Claire Dillard of Wichita, and Kaitlin Dillard of Winfield, Christina Maxwell and Jamie Cook of Winfield, and Mitchell Maxwell of Augusta.

In addition to her parents, Julia was preceded in death by her brother, John Brantley and three step-brothers, Virgil, Orville, and Bill Brantley.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 10:00 A.M., at First Baptist Church in Winfield. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service on Monday evening from 5 to 9 P.M.

A Memorial has been established in Mrs. Dillard's name for the American Cancer Society for Spindle Cell Cancer Research. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.