Bryan Thomas Dillon

Bryan Thomas Dillon, 36, gave the gift of his life Wednesday April 26, 2023 at the Medical University of South Carolina Hospital. He suffered brain injuries in a November 5 automobile accident in Mt. Pleasant, from which, despite the finest care available in the practice of the medical arts, and the fervent prayers of all who knew him, he was not given to recover. The strife is o’er, the battle done.  A steadfast advocate of organ donation, his honor walk was testimony that the victory of life is won.

He was born October 20, 1986, at MUSC Hospital, the son of Robert Thomas Dillon, Jr. (Rob) and Sharon Bryan Dillon (Shary). He grew up camping, hiking, and kayaking with his father, a professor at The College of Charleston, absorbing the history of America from his mother, a teacher at Orange Grove Charter School, and exploring the length and breadth of the United States in the back of a minivan with his sister, Ginny, playing the license plate game. He was an Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow.

He was baptized and confirmed at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, and was active in local missions, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and 180 Place, serving with other youth on a mission trip to Jamaica in 2002.  He carried the American flag at the head of the parade of tartans on Scottish Heritage Sunday.

Bryan graduated from West Ashley High in 2004 and the University of South Carolina in 2009 with a BA in Theater. He then volunteered for AmeriCorps-NCCC, spending 2009 - 2010 building Habitat Houses for the victims of Katrina in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

Back in Charleston he worked in a variety of retail and food service positions for several years, ultimately returning to school, earning a Masters of Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois (Urbana/Champaign) in 2018.  He was a librarian at the Mathis Ferry Branch of the Charleston County Public Library at the time of his death.

In October 2020 his coworkers at the library encouraged him to compete in the “Head2Head” Trivia contest then being published on the weekend page of the Post & Courier.  He won that week and bested all challengers for a string of 12 weeks thereafter. The freelance journalist who was writing the feature for the newspaper at that time then recommended Bryan for the job. Bryan wrote the column for the Post & Courier through 2021, transitioning the feature to its modern multiple choice format in the process.

Sweet and gentle, kind and loving, generous and forgiving, Bryan never uttered a harsh word. He was slow to anger and rapid to lend a hand. He had a quirky sense of humor. He loved bad movies, awesome music of all sorts, video games, Magic the Gathering, cats, dogs, and a wide circle of close friends.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his sister Ginny Bouillerot (Eric); his nephews John, Pierre, and Eddie Bouillerot; his aunts and uncles Vicky Shaughnessy (Mark), Jim Bryan (Diane), Ellen Byrne (Pat), and Russ Ingersoll; his cousins Kelly Taylor, Katie Rooney, Tyler Carter, Michelle Bryan, and Rachel Bryan and their families; his grandmother, Ann Bryan; his great aunt, Isca Mitchell; and his beloved partner Jess Haynes.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Marty Bryan and Bob & Viola Dillon, and his aunt Leslie Ingersoll.

His family wishes to thank the entire staff of MUSC hospital, especially the nurses and doctors of the Neuroscience ICU and Step-Down units, the staff of Select Specialty Hospital in Savannah, the faculty of Orange Grove Charter School, Bryan’s friends and co-workers at Charleston County Public Library, and countless other friends and family who have labored and prayed through Bryan’s long and difficult journey. Our thanks be to God for the love and support of our Christian Brothers and Sisters at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, especially the Kirk Choir.  

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection and Celebration of the Life of Bryan Thomas Dillon will be held at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, 53 Meeting St., Charleston, SC on Saturday, April 29, at 2:00 PM.  Memorial gifts may be made to local missions at First (Scots), by check to the address above, or online through E-giving one-time contribution. The song of triumph has begun. Alleluia.

Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. West Ashley Chapel.