Raymond Hughes Dillard

Raymond Hughes Dillard, 78, of Mexia died December 11, 2025 in a Waco hospital after a brief illness. His service will be held at First Baptist Church Mexia at 2:00 p.m. December 18, 2025 officiated by Reverend Robert Blackmon and Cameron Simmons.  Internment will be in the Mexia Cemetery. Pallbearers are Cameron Simmons, Jacob Simmons, Benjamin Simmons, Don Dillard, Andy Hansen, Steve Dillard, Christopher Parker and Logan Hamilton-Franklin.

 Hughes was born November 5, 1947 in Mexia, Texas to Raymond and Genevieve Hughes Dillard. He was the grandson of Col. J.K. and Annie McGrail Hughes, and William Moses and Nancy Eliza Stanford Dillard.

Hughes attended Mexia schools and upon graduation, he followed the Dillard family tradition of attending Baylor University. While there, he was involved in various groups such as Young Americans for Freedom and Young Conservatives of Texas. His love of politics and debate made for lively conversations. Hughes was a fount of information of all types-important or trivial. Having participated in the College World Bowl as a member of the Baylor team was just one way his intellect shone. Hughes followed his undergraduate graduation by attending Baylor School of Law.

Not only was Hughes an attorney, he was a businessman who engaged in numerous successful partnerships. He was also a philanthropist who not only gave of his time, he established an endowed scholarship at Baylor University to honor the memory of his sister Nancy Ann Dillard Franklin and cousin Jack K. Dillard. His memberships in the Mexia Rotary Club and the Springfield Masonic Lodge were very important to him as each afforded more opportunities to serve others. Being a part of the Masonic tradition was something he proudly shared with many others in his family.

Perhaps the greatest attribute of Hughes’s life was his love of family. He relished the time he spent telling stories and sharing memories. He will forever be remembered as someone you couldn’t forget once you met him. He truly lived his life to the fullest, sharing that he had no regrets.

Hughes is survived by his niece Elizabeth Franklin Simmons (Cameron) of China Spring, Tx., niece Kathleen Franklin of Mount Calm, Tx., great-nephews Jacob Simmons (Leah) of Dallas, Tx., Ben Simmons of Brooklyn, NY, and Logan Hamilton-Franklin of Norman, Ok., numerous cousins and cherished friends.

The family wishes to extend their thanks to The Manor in Mexia, Providence Hospital ICU nurses and Providence Hospice for their many kindnesses to Hughes while in their care.