Durrell Hiller Dickerson

Durrell Hiller Dickerson, 89, of Chatom, Alabama, drifted peacefully to Heaven on March 12, 2020. His final days were spent surrounded by his loving family. He loved and cared for them dearly throughout his memorable life, just as they loved and cared for him.

Mr. Dickerson was born February 12, 1931 in Jasper, Alabama to the late Agnes Hiller Dickerson and Onnie Davis Dickerson, Sr. He graduated from Walker County High School in Jasper and received an Associate Degree from Walker Community College. He studied further at the Gradwohl School of Laboratory Technology in St. Louis, Missouri and interned at Barnes Hospital, also in St. Louis.

Mr. Dickerson served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He was assigned to the 118th Air Police Squadron at Shaw AFB in South Carolina and served at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. He was quite proud to have recently had a brick placed in his honor as part of the Veteran’s Park in Chatom.

Hiller and his family moved to Chatom, Alabama in 1959 when he became the Administrator of Washington County Hospital. During his administration Mr. Dickerson was instrumental in the planning and construction of Washington County Nursing Home. He was administrator of both facilities for almost 30 years. He loved the opportunity to serve his community and dedicated himself to the support of all who worked for him. He was an active member of the Chatom United Methodist Church where, over the years, he served as chairman of the Administrative Board and Sunday School teacher. Mr. Dickerson continued his dedication and support for the United Methodist Church throughout his life continuing to watch televised church services when he could no longer attend. Mr. Dickerson was a member of the Chatom Kiwanis Club and was scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 53 in Chatom. He organized the first Explorer Post in Washington county in the 1970’s. Scouting was very important to Mr. Dickerson and he touched the lives of many through the Scouting programs in both Haleyville and Chatom. Mr. Dickerson was also a strong supporter of the Washington County School System.

He loved traveling to the mountains of Tennessee and he, his wife Merry and their family celebrated many of their wedding anniversaries in Gatlinburg. This November 1st would have been 67 years of marriage. Mr. Dickerson truly loved the outdoors and even after the physical limitations of a stroke he enjoyed “porch sitting”, listening to birds and watching sunsets.

Mr. Dickerson is survived by his son, Shane Dickerson; daughter, Leah Dickerson Smith; grandson, Chad and his wife, Monica Tiedt and their children Christian and Layla; and grandson Kyle and his wife Kara Tiedt, and their children Krislyn and Kieran. He is also survived by many dear nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Merry Lollar Dickerson; his parents, Agnes and Onnie Davis Dickerson, Sr.; Stepfather, James Arthur Dudley; sister, Hazel Louise Stewart; and brother, Onnie Davis Dickerson, Jr.

Visitation with the family will be from 12:30-1:30pm at Kilgore-Green Funeral Home in Jasper, Alabama, followed by a graveside service at 2:00pm at Oak Hill Cemetery on Monday, March 16th.

A Life Celebration will be held for Mr. Dickerson in Chatom, Alabama later this Spring. Details will be shared at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Chatom United Methodist Church.