Dillard Davon Worsham May 20, 1935 - May 26, 2021

May 1935 – May 2021

Dillard Davon Worsham 86, of Delhi, passed away Wednesday, May 26^th.  Dillard was born in Yoakum County, Texas to Viola and W.T.  Worsham in 1935. 

Dillard grew up in Plains, Texas and graduated from Plains High School in 1953.  The family moved to Turlock, California after Dillard’s High School graduation, where they lived and worked on a dairy.  A year later they purchased a chicken ranch in Delhi where he lived for 64 years.  He met the love of his life (Janet Clinton) at Delhi Baptist Church, and they were married in 1958.  They lived in a mobile home in Delhi while he built a house which took him over 3 years to complete.  He built the house in stages starting with 2 bedrooms, then a bathroom before adding another bedroom and living room.  After he completed the living area, he then finally added the kitchen; during all this time they had continued to cook in the mobile home. 

Dillard spent most of his life working for Turlock Irrigation District (TID) as a Ditch Tender or now known as Water Distribution Operator.  Dillard also worked as a Water Master in his many years at TID and retired after 25+ years doing a job he loved.  Dillard also worked seasonally at TID in the years after his retirement, filling in as a Water Distribution Operator when TID needed help during the summers.

Dillard was an active member in the community from being a Board Member of the Delhi School Board, Delhi Water Board, Lion’s Club, Merced County Sheriff Community Volunteer, 50+ years on the Delhi Volunteer Fire Department and prominent Deacon in the Delhi First Southern Baptist Church since 1966.  In addition, he was a Real Estate agent and a Real Estate broker. He gave his heart and soul to his Lord, his Family and the Delhi Community while still harnessing that Texan Charm. 

Dillard is preceded in death by his mother (Viola Worsham) and father (William Thurlough Worsham), his brothers (Jesse and William Worsham), his sister (Ermalee Worsham) and his son (Timothy Worsham).  Dillard is survived by his wife of 63 years Janet Worsham, a sister Faye Shores, sons Bob (Carol), Tom (Rhonda), and Bill (Jenae), daughter-in-laws Janice, Laureen (Carl) Beesley and Marlene (Lane) Landmeier, 32 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Viewing with be held on June 4, 2021 at Allen Mortuary in Turlock from 4:00-7:00pm.  A Celebration of Life will be on June 7, 2021 at New Life Christian Center in Turlock at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that you donate to Delhi Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 616, Delhi, CA 95315 or your favorite charity in Dillard’s name.