William Erskine Dillon Jr.

On Friday November 10, 2023, William “Bill” Dillon,Jr  loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, quietly passed away at the age of 80 with his wife of 59 years by his side. Bill was born April 13, 1943 in Waterbury, CT to William E. Dillon, SR and Isabel (Salisbury) Dillon. He grew up in Naugatuck, CT attending local schools before starting his first life running heavy equipment for area contractors.  During this time Bill also served with the Army National Guard in Naugatuck.

Bill and Karen married in 1964.  On a trip to Mt. Desert Island, Maine in the early 1970’s they stayed in Salisbury Cove, where Bill’s mother had grown up.  It was on this vacation Bill and Karen decided Bar Harbor would be a wonderful place to raise their two children. In 1977 they purchased Hinckley Cottages in Hull’s Cove and so began the second phase of his life.  This time in the hospitality business. It was the first of a number of places they would purchase and renovate over the next 40 years.

Bill was a jack of all trades and there was not a project he would not  tackle. He bought a small backhoe for the motel business and ended up doing small projects for people around the island and in the process made many new friends.  EBS became his second home as he spent so much time there getting supplies for his projects.  During his lifetime, he designed, built, and renovated a number of homes on and off Mount Desert Island. He was especially proud of his last project on Lords Beach Road in Trenton completed just before retiring to South Carolina.

Bill loved old cars.  He would spend hours tinkering in his garage alone or with his son Ed.  Every September, they would trailer the 1934 Ford to Lake George, NY where they would meet up with his daughter Barbara, extended family and friends from CT at the Adirondack Car Show.   The  three loved checking out all the cars and just spending time together for what Karen referred to as the Dad Kids weekend.   Bill was proud to enter his 1934 Ford,  which he built from the frame up, in car shows winning many trophies before getting his latest project, a 1932 Ford 5 window coupe.

Bill is survived by his wife Karen Kosko Dillon of Myrtle Beach, SC, his two children Barbara and Edward Dillon,  Ed’s wife Heather and two amazing granddaughters, Flannery and Ly Dillon of Bar Harbor and two special car buddies, Ted Stanley,SR and John Coughlin.  He also leaves behind many extended family members and friends in Connecticut, Maine, Florida and Myrtle Beach.

A celebration of Bill`’s life is planned for April 13, 2024 in Connecticut where we will all remember him for his sense of humor and his endless stories and share our own special memories.

“A man tells his stories so many times that he becomes the stories. They live on after him, and in that way he becomes immortal.” Will Bloom in Big Fish

Condolences may be made to www.cremationservicesdirect.com

The family has requested no flowers, but if you would like to make a donation to one of Bill's favorite charities feel free to donate to Tunnels 2 Towers or Wounded Warriors, thank you!

Cremation Services Direct (843-651-1194) of Myrtle Beach is assisting the family with Mr. William's arrangements.