Funeral services for “Cotton” Dillard Jr., 78, of Lake Brownwood , will be held at 2 pm on Friday, October 11, in the Netherton Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Kelly Crenshaw officiating. Interment will be held at 4 PM in Cross Plains Cemetery under the direction of Netherton Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 pm on Thursday, October 10, at the funeral home.

Mr. Dillard passed away on Tuesday, October 8, 2013, in Early, Texas with loved ones by his side.

R. B. Dillard was born on July 3, 1935, in Pioneer Texas to Andrew Boyd Dillard and Naomi Pauline ( Rutherford ) Dillard. Over the span of his life, he held many rattlesnake sacking records and was a very well known snake handler. He also traveled all over Texas and New Mexico teaching children importance of snake safety. Cotton was a devout Christian and a member of the New Beginnings Church.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his sons; R.B. Dillard Jr., Darrell Dillard, and Eddie Dillard, all of Santa Anna and David Dillard, Abraham Dillard, Aaron Dillard and Jonathan Dillard, all of Brownwood; one daughter, Dorothea “Dee” Estes of Bangs; one brother, Andrew Boyd Dillard Jr., of Abilene and a sister, Linda Ring of Cross Plains. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren as well as an abundance of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Boyd and Naomi Pauline Dillard; a daughter, Detra Kay Dillard and a grandson, Jason Trichel.

Family and friends are invited and encouraged to sign the online guestbook at www.nethertonfuneralhome.com