WILLIAM ELBERT DILLARD-Forty-five years ago, a young man, William Elbert Dillard, took a position as a clerk with the Central of Georgia Railway Company. He has been with the organization every since, and today is president and general manager of the railroad. In addition, he holds top executive posts with a number of other transportation companies.
He is a native of Buena Vista, Georgia, and was born on February 13, 1898, son of Joseph Demps and Ella Jane (Mathis) Dillard. His father was also born at Buena Vista, in 1871. He devoted his life to farming in Marion County, and died in 1945. Miss Mathis, whom he married, was born in that county in 1873, and died in 1951.
William E. Dillard attended the public schools of Ellaville, Georgia. The day after his graduation, May 31, 1915, he began his connection with the Central of Georgia Railway Company. Although his formal education ended with high school, he prepared himself for advancement in his organization through a demanding program of evening studies, taking four correspondence courses.
His first position with the railroad was as night ticket clerk. Through a series of promotions he later worked as telegraph operator, agent and train-master. His managerial abilities soon recognized, he was promoted to division superintendent, from which he advanced to general superintendent and general manager. He joined the railroad’s executive roster when the duties of vice president were added to those of general manager. He was elected president of the Central of Georgia Railway Company on July 16, 1954. He has remained general manager, and is a member of the railroad’s board of directors and its executive committee. He is the twenty-first man to hold office as its president.
Mr. Dillard is also president, director, and member of the executive committee of Ocean Steamship Company of Savannah and of South Western Railroad Company. He is president and a director of the Albany Passenger Terminal Company, Central of Georgia Motor Transport Company, Chatham Terminal Company, Empire Land Company, and Macon Terminal Company. He is chairman of the board of directors and executive committee of the Louisville and Wadley Railroad Company, the Wadley Southern Railway Company, and of Wrightsville and Tennille Railway Company. He is vice president and director of the Atlanta Terminal Company, and a director and member of the executive committee of Savannah and Atlanta Railway Company and the Fruit Growers Express Company. He is a director of the Augusta and Summerville Railroad Company, Birmingham Terminal Company, Crossgate Homes, Inc., Port Wentworth Corporation, Terminal Development Company, Southern States Industrial Council, the Young Men’s Christian Association, and a trustee of Shorter College in Rome.
Mr. Dillard is a member of the administrative committee of the Association of Southeastern Railroads, and a member of the Transportation Council, United States Department of Commerce. He is a member of the United States Chamber of Commerce, a director of the Georgia State Chamber of Commerce, and an active member of the Savannah Chamber of Commerce. His local memberships include the Rotary Club, the Oglethorpe Club, and the Savannah Golf Club.
He attends the First Baptist Church, where he serves as a member of the board of deacons. The railroad executive’s favorite outdoor sports are quail hunting, fishing, and golf.
At Troy, Alabama, on January 2, 1918, William E. Dillard married Miss Elizabeth Pace of that city, daughter of Dr. M.D. and Sara (Collier) Pace. Her father was an educator, and is deceased, but her mother is living. Mr. and Mrs. Dillard make their home at 701 East 46th Street, Savannah, and they are the parents of four children: 1. Jane, now Mrs. R.E. Turner, Jr. of Bindon Plantation, near Yemassee, South Carolina. 2. Sara, now Mrs. T.F. Morrison, Jr. of Henderson, North Carolina. 3. James C., whose home is in Atlanta. 4. William E., Jr. of Columbus, Georgia. There are six grandchildren.
Source: Families of Southeastern Georgia, by Jack N. Averitt, published by Genealogical Publishing Co., 1964; Pgs. 17-18
NOTES:
(1) Ella Jane Mathis, d/o Archibald Mathis and Matilda Jane (Puss) Phillips;
(2) Matilda Jane (Puss) Phillips, d/o Bluford Phillips and Mrs. Matilda Jane (Patrick) Montfort, She, widow of William S. Montfort, of Greene Co. GA.
