Obituary for Dennis Ray Dilley

Dennis Ray Dilley, 82, of Waukee, Iowa, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2025.

Dennis was born on May 18, 1943, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Ray and Dorothy (Hanson) Dilley. He grew up in Fayette, Iowa, and graduated from Fayette High School. Dennis went on to earn a B.A. in Physical Education in 1970 and a master’s degree in High School Guidance in 1974 from the University of Northern Iowa. He later earned a second master’s degree in Elementary Guidance from UNI in 1988.

From 1965 to 1968, Dennis proudly served his country in the United States Air Force, spending two years in Korea as a Korean linguist.

On January 10, 1971, Dennis married Laurie Clemons, at Donnellson United Church of Christ. Together they built a beautiful life filled with family, friendship, and service.

Dennis devoted his career to education, spending many years at Janesville Schools from 1977 to 1991 before serving as an elementary guidance counselor in Denver, Iowa, until his retirement in 2003. Throughout his teaching and counseling career, Dennis also coached numerous sports teams loving the time he spent with the student-athletes.

An avid athlete himself, Dennis enjoyed playing softball in his younger years and loved spending time on the golf course. In later years, one of his greatest joys was watching his granddaughters play sports—though his competitive spirit often meant he preferred a seat in the outfield by himself.

Dennis was deeply involved in community service through the Lions Club. He was an active member of the Janesville Lions Club, where he was honored as Lion of the Year in 2014 and received the prestigious Warren Coleman Award in 2018. After moving to Waukee, he became a charter member of the Waukee Lions Club and took great pride in volunteering with the Kids Sight program.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Dorothy Dilley; infant son; infant granddaughter, Sophie Kress; and brothers-in-law Steve Becker, Matt Clemons, and John Clemons.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Laurie Dilley; daughters Sherry Clay and Danielle (Eric) Kress; granddaughters Lilah and Jillian Kress; sisters Darlene Bolton, Janeen Hubbell, Geri Becker, and Jackie (Chuck Benedict) Pansegrau; sister-in-law Julie (Tim) Rider; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Dennis will be remembered for his lifelong dedication to education, his humor and competitiveness, and the deep love he had for his family, students, and community.

Services will be held on Monday, November 17, 2025, at Walnut Hills United Methodist Church, 12321 Hickman Road, Urbandale, Iowa. Visitation will take place from 10:00–11:00 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Waukee Lions Club or the Kids Sight Program, causes that were close to Dennis’s heart.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:23