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Mrs. Barbara Jean Bartz Dillard, 85, a devoted wife, mother and champion swimmer, passed away at her home in Lebanon, Tennessee, March 13, 2024, surrounded by loved ones.

Earlier on this same day her beloved husband of 65 years, Kenneth Rhea Dillard, had been interred. Barbara and Kenneth were proud, long time, active members of Immanuel Baptist Church in Lebanon.

The daughter of the late George William Allen and Margaret C. McGill, Barbara was born Aug. 20, 1938, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. As a youth she attended schools in Wisconsin, excelling in the sport of swimming. At age 12 she was teaching swimming lessons for the American Red Cross. Through High School she swam competitively, and was a Lifeguard during her summers.

After graduation, Barbara moved to California to help her brother and sister-in-law, who had just had their first child, and got a job as a waitress. There a chance encounter with one of her High School classmates, introduced her to the love of her life, Kenneth Rhea Dillard, a handsome sailor who was with the classmate. After Barbara threatened to break Ken’s arm for leaning on the glass countertop, he said to himself, “I am going to marry her!�

They settled in Lebanon and started their life together. Ken’s job in aviation required that he work away from home, and Barbara took care of the home front, raising two children and working several vocations including Lux Time, 20 years with Shoney’s and Lifeway in Nashville. After her children were grown and she was phasing into retirement, Barbara again became active in swimming. She joined a Brentwood Swim Club, Music City Masters, for about 10 years.

She became a member of the steering committee for the Aquatic Department of the soon to be constructed Jimmy Floyd Center in Lebanon. She loved to teach swimming and became a volunteer swim coach for all ages at Cedar City Masters. Eventually she returned to competition with the Tennessee Senior Games and excelled. Se earned medals too numerous to count, most of them Gold or Silver. She currently holds records at both the State and National levels, several which were earned within the last seven months.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents; the love of her life and husband, Kenneth Rhea Dillard Sr.; brother, Vernon Alfred Bartz Sr.; brother-in-law, James Dillard; and sister-in-law, Iris Dillard.

Survivors include her children, Deborah Lynn Waller (Rusty) and Kenneth Rhea Dillard Jr.; grandchildren, Jason Waller, Ricky Waller (Kayla), Sandi Frye, Abby Dillard and Austin Dillard; great-grandchildren, Hailey Daly (John), Zara Moore (Jordan), Brianna O’Sullivan (Eric), Karlee Waller, Kaitlyn Waller, Jackson Waller, Kason Roberson, Kylin Baxley, Nossia Corona-Reyes and Isaiah Frye; great-great-grandchildren, Addie Moore, Jayden Moore, Oaklen Moore and Wynter Daly; brother-in-law, Joe B. Dillard (Charlotte); and numerous nieces and nephews, including special nephew, Vernon Alfred Bartz Jr. (Rocky).

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Immanuel Baptist Church with Bro. Darrin Reynolds, Bro. David Calhoun and Patti Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in the Wilson County Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of services at the church.

Honorary pallbearers will be her Sunday school class.

Active pallbearers will be Austin Dillard, John Dillard, Shawn Dillard, Joe Dillard, Mark Thompson and James Bryant.

Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to Barbara’s preferred charity of St. Jude’s Children Hospital, .

Ligon and Bobo Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, 615-444-2142.