Wayne Albert Dillman Sr. was born on October 21, 1931 in Cedar Grove, Louisiana to Edward James “Red” Dillman and Catherine Elois Welsh Dillman. He passed away peacefully at his home in Shreveport, Louisiana surrounded by family on February 18, 2026 at the age of 94.
Wayne was a 1949 graduate of C.E. Byrd High School. After graduation he joined the Navy Reserves where he proudly served his country. Following the family legacy he joined his dad, brother, uncles, and cousins as a glasscutter at Libbey Owens Ford Glass Factory. When the glass factory closed in 1971 he became a draftsman and worked for Fabsteel Corp. and BALAR Associates until retirement.
Wayne was preceded in death by the mother of his four children Carrie G Strickland Dillman; his parents; his brother James Dillman; his daughter-in-law, Brenda Dillman and his son-in-law Millard Boyett. He is survived by his wife of 18 years Carol Grigsby Dillman; children Wayne “Buddy” Dillman, Jr. (Terry), Christy Parker (Mike), Dana Boyett, Kathy Thompson (Guy); his stepchildren Penny Snider (David) and Ryan Grigsby (Summer); grandchildren Michael Parker (Susanne), Amberly Stussy (Shawn), Stephanie Perry (Chris), Jessica Lee (Nathan), Beth Marquez (Joe), Josh Parker (Brittany), Joe Dillman, Melanie Holmes (Michael), Sarah Hicks (Kenneth), Robin Nguyen (David); stepgrandchildren Will, Ben and Katherine Snider and John, Sunny, and Maddy Grigsby; 23 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren. He was affectionately known by his grandchildren as Grandpa the Great, Grandpa the Grape, Papa Wayne, Just Grandpa, I-Pop and Grandpa.
Wayne enjoyed spending time with his family and his childhood friends aka “the gang”: camping at Atlanta State Park and Lake Bistineau, golfing at Meadowlake, and playing tennis at Querbes and Southern Hills Tennis Center. He played tennis until he was 85 years old.
Later in life Wayne took up acting which included being an extra in Steel Magnolias and Blaze. He loved performing at the Shreveport Little Theater and The Performing Arts Center in plays such as The Mousetrap, Of Mice and Men, My Fair Lady, Brigadoon, and Oklahoma where his biggest fans were his grandchildren. Two of his grandsons, Josh & Joe, performed along with him in Showboat. For many years he coached football at Summer Grove Elementary School and softball & basketball at Summer Grove Baptist Church. Being called Coach Dillman later in life always warmed his heart.
He was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church where he loved his Sunday School class and singing with Carol in the Sanctuary and Primetime choirs.
A celebration of life will take place on Monday, February 23, 2026 at Centuries Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be at 1:00 pm with the service to follow at 2:00 pm. Officiating the service will be Bro. Scott Shirley with Harold Ashcroft leading music.
Pallbearers will be Michael Parker, Josh Parker, Joe Dillman, Ryan Grigsby, Chris Perry, Michael Holmes.
Honorary pallbearers are Paul Rachel, Buddy Bickham and Glen Rachel
Contributions in Wayne’s memory may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church, 5850 Buncombe Rd., Shreveport, LA 71118.
"For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."
Isaiah 41:13
