Paul E. Dilley, 86, of Waterloo, died Nov. 25, 2015, in Waterloo.

He was born July 17, 1929, in Valmeyer, son of the late George R. and Dora Mae Dilley (nee Cheek).

Mr. Dilley retired from the U.S. Army in 1971, having entered in 1950. His first assignment in the army was serving in the Honor Guard to President Harry Truman.

He was assigned to Berlin during the Berlin crisis. Later he served two tours in Vietnam with the 9th Infantry Division in the Mekong Delta in 1966-67, and in 1969-70 at Chu Chi with the 25th Infantry Division. Mr. Dilley’s last assignment was as a machine gun instructor at Ft. Polk, La.

His decorations include Bronze Star with Oak Leaf, Army Commendation medal, Air Medal, Good Conduct medal 6th award, Army of Occupation medal with Berlin Airlift Device, Expert Infantry badge, Combat Infantry badge, Expert Rifle and Pistol badge, Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal with 1960 Device, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm 4th award, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action medal 1st class unit citation 2nd award.

Mr. Dilley moved to Southern California, working as a buyer for a parts manufacturer. He met and married Marlene Gillott in Las Vegas in 1989.

Mr. Dilley was an avid bowler until 2010; he bowled three perfect games in his lifetime and additionally was California Seniors Bowling Champion in 2009.

He is survived by his sister Mary Ethel (Ep) Cook of Arvada, Colo.; sister-in-law Dolores Dilley of Lake Elsinore,  Calif.; nieces and nephews, including great-great-great nieces and -nephews; and his loving puppy Tuffy.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; four brothers, Gordon, Howard, John (“Bob”) and Roy; two sisters, Blanche Hanewalt and Dorothy (“Tutty”) Munger; nieces and nephews; and brothers- and sisters-in-law.

His family extends a special thank you to Dr. Pickett, VITAS Hospice and his nurse, Maranda; social worker, Martha; Chaplin Gummershimer; and his home health aide, Ashley.

A memorial will be held at Westminster Memorial Park in Westminster, Calif., at a later date.