David Lane Dillard of Crete, Illinois was born on April 25, 1957 in Austin, Texas to David and Jimmie Dillard. He passed away quietly on June 8, 2022 at the Jesse Brown Veterans Hospital in Chicago with his life partner and loving companion Karen by his side. For 65 years David led an exemplary life of hard work as a small business owner, entrepreneur, musician and entertainer, veteran, mentor, animal lover and good friend to many. David was a 1975 graduate of Rich East High School, Park Forest, Illinois and attended Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, Illinois. He served in the U.S. Army as a medic. He was the owner of Anything Entertainment, Dillard Roofing and Aunt Bees Boarding House for Dogs. A sought after musician, Davids bands included the Stetson Brothers, White Water Rush, The Red Wheeler Band, Small Time Dave and the Windy City Groove, Elvis 2000 and his beloved The Bluz Brothers Rhythm and Blues Revue. He played to audiences throughout the mid-west and overseas to U.S. military stationed abroad for over 40 years. While he loved entertaining, David and Karens true love were the animals they took in who desperately needed a home; many with special needs. Together, David and Karen rescued 68 dogs in 35 years. David was preceded by his father, David L. Dillard, Jr. , his mother, Jimmie Buttram Dillard, and nephew, Brian Lane Dillard. He is survived by his life partner, Karen, sister and brother-in-law, Suzanne and Ronald Anderson of Henagar, Alabama; brother and sister-in-law, Douglas and Linda Dillard of Ider, Alabama; aunts, Helen and Joanne Dillard and uncles, Russell and James Dillard of Cut and Shoot, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. And most important of all, he is survived by his close companions of recent years, Smokey, Butters, Momo, Trouble, Oscar, Muffy, Snowy, Bailey, and Copper. A tribute will be held at the Park Forest American Legion Post 1198 April 22nd from 5:00pm-11:00pm to honor Dave with food and Live bands that Dave has played with over the years. Bring a dish to share, cash bar to benefit the Legion as Dave would have wanted. Your browser does not support this video format. You should be able to view it in Chrome, Safari or Internet Explorer.