Ray E. Dillon Jr.

Ray Ernest Dillon Jr. (May 7, 1924 - August 15, 2015), sometimes known by the nickname "Ace", was an American businessman. After serving in the United States Army's 492nd Fighter Squadron as a fighter pilot, he was the president of grocery chain Dillons for 18 years, overseeing its expansion outside of Kansas.

Early childhood Ray Ernest Dillon Jr. was born on May 7, 1924, to Ray Ernest Dillon Sr. and Stella Schmitt Dillon. He was their oldest child, with one younger brother named Richard W. Dillon. Dillon lived in Hutchinson, Kansas, for most of his life. He began working at Dillons as a bagger by the age of 8 or 9.

His friends coined the nickname "Ace" while he was a boy scout. To complete a merit badge, Dillon wrote about a flying ace from World War I, shared the story with his fellow scouts, and received his nickname.

Dillon served in Europe in the 492nd Fighter Squadron as a fighter pilot in World War II. He flew in 92 combat operations in Republic P-47 Thunderbolts. He was awarded the Air Medal with twelve oak leaf clusters along with the Distinguished Flying Cross. He left the military in late 1945 but continued to fly for 51 years as a private pilot.