The Troy Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday passed a resolution honoring Marvin L. “Marv” Dillard Jr., the longtime board member who recently passed away.

Dillard was welcomed to the Planning and Zoning Commission March 27, 2008, and Chairman Bill Hopper said that during his seven years on the board, Dillard had been dedicated to the cause and had served diligently in his time with the commission.

“He was a good friend to many, and also as a part of this commission,” Hopper said. “We wanted to honor him and honor you all.”

Hopper read a resolution aloud to the commission, reiterating the heartfelt sadness and gratitude the commission felt for Dillard. Following the reading of the resolution, Planning and Zoning Administrator Melissa Sanders presented Dillard’s family with framed, official copies of the resolution. His wife Kim, his mother Pat and father Marvin were all present at the meeting Thursday.

Troy Mayor Jason Reeves also attended the meeting and spoke about the dedication Marv Dillard had to not only his position on the Planning and Zoning Commission but also to the people he saw day in and day out at his business, Dillard Funeral Home.

“This is a difficult board to serve on, and Marv served so well on it,” Reeves said. “But, that was the least thing he did for the city. He used his gift he had to comfort people in the most difficult times of their lives. There are countless, countless people that he touched through what I see was a ministry of what he did for a living. He didn’t do it for a living, I think he did it as a ministry service, and it touched so many people. He had a gift, and he shared it with countless families in this community. We are so grateful for what he did.”

His mother Pat said her son had dedicated his life to bettering the City of Troy although the family was not originally from here.

“One thing he always said was he couldn’t understand why anyone would want to live anywhere but Troy, and he had said that from a young age,” she said.

Before the adjournment of the meeting, Hopper again reiterated to Dillard’s family members how important and special he had become in their lives.

“It’s people like you guys, like Marv, that make Troy this way,” Hopper said. “We sincerely appreciate y’all. We loved Marv, and we love y’all. We just wanted you guys to know how much he meant to us.”