Bill J. Ballard passed away on January 28, 2021 in Santa Rosa, California. He moved there with his beloved partner, Anne Dahm, in May, 2020, after meeting and living in Mena, AR since 2011. Previously Bill lived at his timber land in Plunketville, OK with his wife Katheryn Ballard after retiring.

Bill was born in Wright City, OK in 1926 to Fred Ogene Ballard and Lena Barber Ballard. Bill's father was killed in a saw mill accident when Bill was 8, and his stepfather was killed accidently in a train accident. Bill's early life set the foundation for his core values, as well as his life's work. Bill spent most of his childhood living with relatives and family friends while his mother tried to make a living for the two of them. He spent stable years with his uncle Arly and Aunt Flora Stratton in Greenville, TX. In Bill's early teenage years, he moved with his mother to Texarkana, Texas.  It was there that he found two things that captured his interest. A local minister called on his mother and the people who lived in her boardinghouse. Through him, Bill found the basis of the faith in God that sustained him throughout his years. He was also drawn to the causes of social justice and caring for one another.

Bill had several jobs in child services, and in time moved to Wichita Falls. Later, Bill briefly got a position as assistant superintendent of the Presbyterian Children's Home in Itasca, Texas. Bill felt drawn back to Wichita Falls, and continued to work at the probation agency later called Family Court Services until retirement. In 1964, Bill began law school at SMU and continued to commute there in the evenings until he had enough classes to take the Bar exam, which he passed the first time. He spent the remainder of his professional life as an attorney working for Wichita County for justice for children, families, single mothers, and people that faced tough times like he did as a boy.

Bill met Katheryn Neighbors, the girl who would become the love of his life, in high school in Texarkana. They both graduated and Bill went to college.  After a semester, they married on December 27, 1945. They were married for 51 years until Katheryn passed away from a long illness. Bill and Katheryn were members of Fain Presbyterian Church in Wichita Falls and later, First Presbyterian Church in Mena AR.

Bill and Katheryn had three boys, Fred Ballard (Mischa), Alan Ballard, (Karen Kent) and Dan Ballard, (Jane Hunter). Fred's children are Drake (Melissa), Jackie and Lyda Ballard.  Dan's son is Kevin Lyons (Sarah) and grandsons Ben and Will, and Alan's daughter is Elise Ballard Lokkesmoe (Sean).  Elise and Sean have two sons, Jackson and Jameson.  Jackson had the great advantage of spending time with his Papaw (Bill).  Two days before Bill died, Elise and Jackson called Papaw and Jackson sang "Jesus Loves Me" to Papaw and told him Texas State facts he learned in school. The day Papaw died, Jackson told his Nanny (Karen) that he saw Papaw, and Papaw was going to feel better. It is our great joy and comfort to know that Bill did feel better when he got to Heaven later that night and to be with Jesus and Katheryn.

Bill and Katheryn bought timber land in eastern Oklahoma, fondly known as the Tree Farm, and the land became Bill's passion. Bill and his sons built a home there in 1978. Bill was in the forest almost every day.  He looked after the trees and managed timber cutting in the best interest of the land. He was active in the Ouachita Watch League, a nonprofit timber conservancy litigation group.  Bill was no stranger to litigation, having tried a case at the Texas Supreme Court.

Bill's passions were his family, photography, social action and justice, reading, and trees. The forest was so loved by Bill that his granddaughter made him stationery that said, "May the forest be with you