Rev. Bill Ballard 82 of Big Spring died Saturday July 3, 2010 at University Medical Center. The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at Myers & Smith Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday at Baptist Temple Church with Dwayne Wheat, Monroe Teeters, Courtney Ballard and Mark Winn officiating. Burial will be in Coahoma Cemetery.

He was born February 28, 1928 in Coleman County, Texas to Etta A. and Chester Newton Ballard. He married Enola Myrlene Lambright on May 7, 1950 in Silver City, New Mexico. They came to Big Spring in 1955 from Midland. She preceded him in death on November 25, 1984. He married Barbara Johnke on May 23, 1997 in Big Spring. He was employed by Southwest Tool from 1955 until 1962. He then worked for American Petro Fina as a production foreman retiring in 1989. From 1973 until 2007 he served as pastor of Central Baptist Church at Elbow; the Children's Ministry at Baptist Temple and as pastor of Airport Baptist Church. He was a member of Gateway Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife Barbara Ballard of Big Spring; two daughters: Barbara Reilly of Midway and Altie Winn and her husband Mark of Sand Springs; four sons: Bill Ballard and his wife Pat of Culpeper, VA; Courtney Ballard and his wife Kelli of Big Spring; Tim Ballard and his wife Kim of Big Spring; Kent Ballard and his wife Tammy of Guthrie; five sisters: Melba Wesson of Brownwood; Aleta Trigg and her husband James of Corpus Christi; Allene Cope of Coleman; Clara Row her husband Buck of Midland; Joan Stanton and her husband Don of Silsbee; one brother: Chester Ballard of Brownwood; 16 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters; three grandchildren: Sean Michael Reilly and two infants; and one infant great grandchild.

Pallbearers will be Andrew Ballard,John Reilly, Jeremy Winn,Timothy Ballard,William Reilly and Taylor Ballard. Honorary pallbearers will be Cody Burris,Marlin Johnke,Tony Baccari,C.J. Ballard,Tanner Ballard,Travis Ballard and Zac Ballard.

The family requests memorials to Gateway Baptist Church, 2305 Gatesville St. Big Spring,Texas 79720.