William Thomas Dillard
- Born:
- November 2, 1914, Mineral Springs, Arkansas, USA
- Died:
- February 8, 2002, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Entrepreneur, Retailer, Founder and Chairman of Dillard's
Early Life and Education
- Born to James William Dillard and Emma (Lyons) Dillard.
- Attended public schools in Nashville, Arkansas.
- Graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1935 with a degree in business administration.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his retail career working in his father's general merchandise store.
- Opened his first department store in Nashville, Arkansas, in 1938.
- Expanded his business throughout Arkansas and surrounding states in the 1950s and 1960s.
- Led the acquisition of several regional department store chains, including Brown-Dunkin Company and Strouss-Hirshberg's, significantly expanding Dillard's footprint.
- Took Dillard Department Stores, Inc. public in 1969.
- Oversaw the continued growth of Dillard's into one of the largest department store chains in the United States.
- Served as Chairman of the Board of Dillard's until his death in 2002.
Notable Works
While William T. Dillard did not author traditional "works," his life's work was the creation and expansion of the Dillard's department store chain. The story of Dillard's has been featured on programs similar to what one might find on the 'william t dillard biography channel'.
Legacy and Impact
William T. Dillard's legacy lies in his entrepreneurial spirit and his successful creation of a major national department store chain. He is remembered for his business acumen, his dedication to customer service, and his contributions to the retail industry.