Thomas William ‘Bill’ Dillion was born March 25‚ 1962‚ in Houston‚ Texas‚ to Thomas Wayne and Letha Faye Dillion. He was a 1980 graduate of Cypress Creek High School. Bill was a very warm‚ friendly‚ outgoing individual who enjoyed life. He is described by others as kindhearted‚ compassionate‚ and someone who loved helping others.

Bill knew at a very early age that he was interested in being a firefighter. At the age of 15‚ he joined the Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department as a junior member. He continued to serve his community until deciding to pursue that love and become a professional firefighter. Bill attended the Texas A&M Fire Training Academy and upon completion accepted a position with the Houston Fire Department. He completed his training and graduated from the Houston Fire Academy in June of 1989.

Bill’s passion for firefighting and the love of his job provided the motivation required to advance quickly through the ranks of the Houston Fire Department to become a senior captain. He loved the guys that he worked with-his ‘Station 69 family.’ Bill was known as a prankster and loved having fun with the guys‚ but when it came to work-safety and training-it was all business. Safety always came first.

Throughout his 22-year career with HFD‚ Bill served as a member of the HFD Honor Guard‚ the suicide prevention team‚ and assisted with training classes. In 2006‚ he completed his degree in fire science.

On his days off from HFD‚ Bill also worked as a member of the duty crew for the Magnolia Fire Department. He was well respected by his peers and was often asked to assist with whatever his experience could bring to the department. He spoke often about the ‘brotherhood’ that firefighters share‚ no matter what department you are with or what demographic area you are from. He was passionate about that bond that all firefighters share.

When Bill was not at the fire station‚ he loved spending time with his children‚ family‚ and friends. He was a loving father‚ and most of the time you could find him at one of their athletic events cheering on the team. He loved camping and spending time with friends. He was an avid fisherman‚ where he enjoyed meeting people and sharing the gospel of Christ. He was a member of Grace Community Church and enjoyed volunteering whenever there was a need.

Bill is survived by his sons‚ David and Matt Dillion; daughter‚ Katelyn Dillion; mother‚ Letha Dillion; sister‚ Brenda Machala‚ and husband Tommie; nephews‚ Daryl‚ Gary‚ and Cody Machala; brother‚ Lee Gooch‚ and wife Sonya; and niece‚ Shalee.