# Bill Dillard

> William T. “Bill” Dillard II is the Little Rock-based chairman and chief executive officer of Dillard’s. An accounting graduate of the University of Arkansas with a Harvard MBA, he became president and chief operating officer in 1977, CEO in 1998 and chairman in 2002. His career connects early retail computerization, department-store operations and support for accounting education and leadership development at his alma mater.

- **Role:** Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Dillard’s, Inc.
- **Organizations:** Dillard’s, Inc., University of Arkansas
- **From:** Nashville, Arkansas, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, accounting, University of Arkansas, Sam M. Walton College of Business, Master of Business Administration, Harvard University, Honorary Doctor of Business, University of Arkansas
- **Known for:** Helped advance the computerization of retail operations early in his career., Arkansas Business Hall of Fame inductee, 2016., University of Arkansas Chancellor’s Medal recipient, 2015.

## Career timeline

- **1967** — Began his career at Dillard’s and joined its board.
- **1977** — Became president and chief operating officer; served until 1998.
- **1998** — Succeeded his father as chief executive officer.
- **2002** — Became chairman.
- **2015** — Received the University of Arkansas Chancellor’s Medal.
- **2016** — Inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame.
- **2020** — Accounting department named for his father following his support toward a planned $10 million gift.
- **2023** — Matt Waller appointed to the William Dillard II Leadership Chair in August.
- **2026** — University announced Mandy and Bill Dillard II Hall in May.

## Achievements

- Helped advance the computerization of retail operations early in his career.
- Arkansas Business Hall of Fame inductee, 2016.
- University of Arkansas Chancellor’s Medal recipient, 2015.
- Supported an accounting department endowment honoring his father.
- Namesake of the William Dillard II Leadership Chair and, with Mandy Dillard, a planned academic building.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Dillard’s announced a planned transfer of its primary securities listings to TXSE, with an expected October 5 trading start.
- **2026-08** — Company reported second-quarter net income of $97.7 million, including $28.4 million after-tax tariff refunds.
- **2026-07** — Walton Family Foundation awarded $10 million toward the planned Mandy and Bill Dillard II Hall; the foundation made this grant.
- **2026-05** — University of Arkansas announced the naming of Mandy and Bill Dillard II Hall.

## Links

- Website: https://www.dillards.com/
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-dillard-224b2a72

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Last updated: 2026-10-21