GREENSBORO/BRYSON CITY, N.C. — Elmer James Dills, 89, formerly of Bryson City, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, in a Greensboro Hospital.

A native of Swain County, he had been a resident of Greensboro since 1940. He was the son of the late Richard and Octie Truitt Dills and husband of the late Thelma Estep Dills.

He was a member of I.B.E.W for 60 years and retired with Duke Power with 30 years of service. He was baptized at Wesser Creek Baptist Church in Swain County and was a member of Community Baptist Church in Greensboro for over 20 years. He was a 32nd degree Mason and enjoyed hunting and fishing. His final wish was to be brought home to the mountains of Swain County which he loved so much.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Bill and Frank Dills.

He is survived by three sons, James Richard Dills and wife Barbara of Dudley, N.C., Donald Cery Dills and wife Theresa of Prosperity, Ronald Dills and wife Lynn of Gibsonville, N.C.; one daughter, Helen Dills Pittman of Ridgeland; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Pauline Dills Dillard of Hazelwood, N.C., Hazel Burns of Tullahoma, Tenn.; and one brother, Bobbie Dills of Bryson City, N.C.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Revs. Jeff Waldroup and Jeff Matthews will officiate with burial in Euchella Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the N.R.A. or the Outdoors Without Limits, P.O. Box 1111, Ridgeland, SC 29936.