It's been a year. Hard to believe that you are gone. There are a lot of movies that we are missing and rounds of golf we should be playing. I miss you my friend. 

Sammy was a classmate at Sanderson H S.  I remember him a simply a great guy.  Always smiling and friendly.  My simpathy to his family on his passing.


I am so sorry to hear of Sammy’s passing. I wish I could have made the service. We were great childhood friends. We had lost touch but I never forgot what a funny good guy he was. My sincere condolences to his family. Ken hines. 

Gonna miss you her at Smyrna Bowling Center.

Today was a sad day as we bid farewell to my friend Sammy.  I first met Sammy in 1978 at of all places, a bowling establishment.  He was working the counter at Buffaloe Lanes South on 401.  I had just moved from New Jersey after graduating from Rutgers and was looking to kill some time when I saw the bowling establishment.  I went back home and got my father and uncle, who was visiting from Long Island, and went back.  Sammy put us on lanes 19 and 20. After bowling we talked for about 10 minutes and Sammy set me up on a team in a league at Western Lanes.  Little did I know that brief encounter would be the beginning of a 44 year friendship. Like Sammy I have 3 sisters and no brothers.  He was the brother I never had.  We always hung out, whether it was bowling, golf, going to movies, lunch you name it we were friends. 
 When I first met the girl I would eventually marry it was Sammy I sought out to tell first.  He was one of my groomsmen.  

I will always be grateful for knowing Sammy and the entire Dillard family.  Every time I visited the Dillard house on Kimberly Drive I felt like I was home.  Thank you Sammy.    

I considered Sam one of my friends.  He was fun to be around, he would keep you laughing with is quick wit.  Only worked with Sammy for a few years at ROSCO ( Raleigh Office Supply).  Condolences to your family.  I know your family will miss you dearly.
RIP Sammy

Sam never met a stranger.  Loved his girls and grand kids more than they will ever know.  I am Blessed to have known him.  



How could you not love Sam "Sammy" Dillard. He was the best! My condolences to his beloved family who loved him so much. Well, we did, too, everybody who knew him. As a Georgia Bulldog in the o/p industry who had no reason to dislike N.C. State, Sammy and I enjoyed Bulldog games in Raleigh at the old Reynolds arena in Raleigh and whatever the new one was when Gerald Wilkins son - Dominique's nephew - played for the 'Pack. Also in Nashville, when he invited me up from Atlanta for a Georgia-Vandy basketball game. I once packed - no pun intended - a bowling team with Sammy that we entered in a charity event in Atlanta and I'll forever remember him recounting a story of singing an opera solo at my alma mater in Athens, Georgia when he travelled there as part of the Wolfpack Glee Club. What a guy of many talents! I am in deep mourning over the loss of this friend to all. 

What a superior man. Sam was kind and smart and tons of fun, l never met a person who didn’t enjoy his company! 

Prayers go out to the family. I know this is a tremendous loss for his family. I had the opportunity to work with Sam, not only once, but twice and I know he will be truly missed! He was a joy to work with and always could make us laugh. I know he loved his family and was so proud of his grandchildren. Faye and I are so thankful to have Sam a part of our life.

One of the great ones we lost touch over the years he was a true family man father friend and someone who will truly be missed nothing but great memories RIP SAMMY

Although we lost touch over the years will always have memories of bowling golfing and especially the hurricanes Stanley cup truly a special person prayers to the family

The world has indeed lost a very special 
person.  We want Sammy's  family to know how very sorry we are and that we share in their grief.  He was a true friend for so many years, and we will forever be grateful for that friendship.

While life took us in different directions, we never lost our love for Sammy.  He was the go-to guy for directions and shortcuts all over Raleigh.   When Rick moved here and checked out the bowling world,  he met Sammy and they became team mates for more games than I can count as well as late night poker games.
Sammy was also the guy who volunteered to pick up Rick's  mom from RDU the awful night of the accident, assuring me she'd  remember him from our wedding.  Of course, he was right!

Sammy also shared his little girls and brought them over to play with our toddler Stacy.  After winning over her heart as well, he insisted that Rick and I go out while he babysat.  What a generous guy!  Thankfully, I was able to return the favor and enjoy time with Jennifer and Tracy.

Our family knew we could count on Sammy's friendship, and we now grieve that loss.  He was the individual who could bring laughter and love to so many people.  May all those who love him find peace and comfort by holding on to the wonderful memories of Sammy Dillard.

The Newland Family
(Rick, Vicki, and Stacy)

Prayers for the family and for those of us who called him friend.  Sam and I began our careers within a week of one another as we both joined Raleigh Office Supply (ROS) in 1979.  From day one we developed a special brotherhood.  We grew in the business together and in support of one another.  I’ll always remember our times together discussing business, the Pack and our families.  I’m thankful for the time we had together and grieve with the family and other friends in his loss. -Les Crenshaw 

My introduction to Sam dates back to the late 80’s. I work for an office supply manufacturer and Sam was my primary contact at Raleigh OS. We quickly formed a strong bond and shared a love for sports (especially college basketball/football). Being a Chapel Hill grad,  the ribbing could get quite intense…..but always in good fun. Sam  had an incredible sense of humor and quick wit. We enjoyed many lunches and golf matches over the years. I hated to see him move to Nashville but stayed in touch periodically. The world is now down a great guy,friend, Father, Grandfather. But, we will remember the laughter, friendship, story telling and good times. RIP Sam!


Sammy was a friend and he will be missed by some many people.. 
RIP my Friend..

May God help the family find peace with their loss.  



What a tremendous loss, of a good man, father, grandfather, worker, coach and competitor. 
Not as close as some were to Sammy, but I always admired his heart. When I was attempting to change employment decades ago now, Sammy was there to help me get involved with the company he was with at the time. A couple of years later, he was a vital part of helping me get one of the best bowling leagues in the area off the ground. Several years later, he was there once again to help sponsor our girls fast-pitch tournament team. When Sammy moved out of the area, I know he made a big impact coaching and am sure will be greatly missed by those he coached. I was glad however to hear he had come back home a few years ago. I wish I had taken the time to hang out with him some since he was back, as I never expected to hear this news. 
Sammy held the NC state series record of 860 for many years and was a PBA champion. He had the respect of everyone in bowling that had the honor of knowing him. One of our mutual friends just told me yesterday, “You know, we were all fierce competitors on the lanes, but at the same time, were all friends”. Most people that don’t know this game, can’t comprehend that, but we that do can. So, let’s just enjoy the friendship, fellowship and competition while we still can. There will be a void in the local bowling world now and we will all miss “Slammin’ Sammy Dillard”. May he now rest in peace!

I worked with Sam at MyOfficeProducts. He was always such a joy to work with and be around. I send my condolences to his family and friends. 

Jenny Nickoloff
Nashville, TN 

Sam was a great man.  We meet when he moved down to TN to be over the TSC portion at My Office Products.  I don't feel he ever meet a stranger.  Shortly after barely meeting him he offered to lend me his GPS for a week long road trip my wife and I were taking.  It shocked me as back then they were fairly still expensive and he was letting someone he barely knew take it.   They last couple of years of working together we became really close and ate lunch together as well occasional guys nights with Brett spent seeing movies, poker or just chilling at his house.  Enjoyed lunch with you last week and will cherish the memories we had.  Thanks for being you.  

I met Sam at work not long after moving here to Tennessee, but once I met him it was like we’d known each other for years. We shared some common hobbies, and quickly became bowling teammates, and golf buddies on top of being co-workers.  There are so many stories I have with Sam, and every single one of them makes me smile. This man truly would do anything to help people. I am honored to have called him a friend, proud to have considered him part of my family. He had such an impact on my family in the far too little time we had together, but truly not a minute of that time was wasted with Sam. The Carpenter family loves you dearly my friend. You are missed, and will be missed deeply.  Things are simply darker now! We love you, and send our deepest condolences to your family. 

I am at a lost for words, but want Sammy's family to know how much he was loved and will be missed. He was a special man and one of a kind. My prayers and love are with you all during this difficult time. I know Sam would want everyone to celebrate his life and not be sad. He was a shining light and has left a special place in all of our lives. My love and sympathy to you all. 
Kim, John, Skylar, and Kloe Kennedy

Tracy-I am so sorry to hear about your dad.  I was blessed to have met him when Allie was born.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  

Donna Hyatt

OBITUARY

Samuel "Sam" Graham Dillard

May 16, 1956 – February 22, 2022

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

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