Green Redmond Dill, Jr.

G. Redmond “Reddy” Dill, Jr. quite unexpectedly departed this earth on Thursday August 18, 2022 at the age of 76. He was definitely not expecting to depart so soon; and as you can imagine, he never would have wanted to miss the next election, closing, bank board of directors meeting, town council meeting, phone call, or diet soda. He would not have missed the latest news or gossip, family outing, holiday party, or the next cat’s purr.

Reddy was an only child to Florie Gibbs Dill and Green Redmond Dill, Sr., of lovely New Bern, whose picturesque white frame house was situated on a large shady lot on the shore of the Trent River. He was the “do-no-wrong” child to Florie—his father having a slightly more realistic approach. It may be difficult for one to imagine, but Reddy was quite the little roustabout and mischief-maker during his childhood. One of his more memorable antics was when he decided to target practice inside the large paneled living room, and proceeded to fire a bullet right through the aristocratic nose of an historical oil painting, Florie’s most prized possession. Even still, she would always love and adore “her Reddy Dill,” and she thought him perfect. Many years later, we inadvertently found report cards buried in his room, and those report cards and teacher comments told a completely different story.

Reddy attended New Bern City Schools, followed by UNC-Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest School of Law. He was suddenly drafted by the Army on his first day of law school. He served one and one-half years in Vietnam, being granted an early leave in order to return to Wake Forest. As Reddy loved to tell, he immediately returned to the same building, and sat in the very same seat.

He found his way to Burke County soon after graduation, on an internship with the one man who would have the most profound and enduring effect on Redmond personally as well as professionally, the late attorney John McMurray. Redmond thought of John always as a great mentor and an even greater man and friend. John and his wife Beverly were like family to him, and those lessons in law and life would remain and sustain Redmond for the rest of his life.

Redmond’s office was his inner sanctum—always maddeningly messy and chaotic. Entering, it beckoned you to pause, to allow your gaze to travel over the many objects which he had collected over a nearly fifty-year career – a career which in most ways, was so public and yet so inextricably private at the same time. The walls, Carolina blue, were adorned with photos and crests from his New Bern family and home, diplomas, awards, and his law license, and civil war lithographs. The old barrister bookcases were filled with his beloved books, favorite photos and miniature civil war soldier figurines, gifts from clients, and well-worn, annotated paperbacks.

Reddy’s early professional years found him in the courtroom, practicing more general law. Hailing from New Bern, courtroom attire proved challenging for him. He mastered the navy sport coat, tie, and khaki pant part; but a few judges had to school him on his Docksider shoes with no socks.

Over Reddy’s career, he gravitated more towards real estate, and it is here that he found his calling. He spent countless hours trudging all over Burke County properties, as he possessed an insatiable yearning to know every property he conducted title work on.

For most of his career, he presided over his office in Valdese. He would personally greet clients in the waiting room, if not in his boat shoes, then only his sock feet. He could and would chat up every person he saw, no matter their station in life. Many clients he would follow to their car to “see them off.” It was not unusual for many folks to simply amble in without an appointment, and he would very often see them at no charge. He possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of his files for many years, rarely needing to refer to them. In more recent years he moved to Morganton to join his practice with his son- in-law Jared Amos.

Reddy has served in many capacities over these past nearly fifty years of which he completely felt honored. Some of these include Morganton Savings Bank Board of Directors, Attorney for the Board of Burke County Realtors, attorney for multiple municipalities, including Town of Hildebran, Town of Connelly Springs and Town of Brookford, former Burke County attorney, and former attorney for the Avery-Watauga Board of Realtors.

As is common knowledge to those who knew him, Reddy’s wit was legendary and sometimes unmerciful. He could work a room and level the playing field in rapid-fire order. There was nothing he enjoyed more than to receive the same in return. Reddy loved humor, good friends, politics, books, raucous behavior, lots of cologne, his occasional naps through meetings and sermons, lake life, the civil war, gossip, the history and sports channels, war movies, westerns, good food, cats, and his family. Reddy epitomized infectious ebullience. When he smiled, his eyes smiled too. His life was full and well- lived. He was a hard-working man, and it is difficult to remember many times that his car was not parked at the front of his office.

In the end, Reddy became that civil war soldier he most admired. He became the soldier that died with dignity, integrity, and most importantly to him of all, he died facing the enemy. He was never one for much sentiment or religiosity, but he would want anyone to know that when you find him in Heaven, he will be honored and happy to help you any way that he can.

G. Redmond Dill, Jr. was survived by his wife, Sheila Diercks Dill; daughter Snow Sherrill and son in law Jared Amos, and granddaughter India Amos, all of Morganton.

The services for G. Redmond Dill, Jr., will be held on September 15, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Morganton, with the Reverend Dr. Tom Bland officiating. Military Honors provided by the NC National Guard. A receiving of friends will be held immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall. An unexpected and unsolicited gift to a local animal rescue organization or shelter, or an animal adoption would be welcome in lieu of flowers.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.sossomanfh.com.