BALLARD, Rodney "Rod" Howard, age 67 of Hillsboro, TN, passed away on August 24, 2012 at the Middle TN Medical Center in Murfreesboro, TN after a brief illness. Rod was the Assitant Fire Chief of the City of Manchester Fire & Rescue Department and was a Certified Journeyman Firefighter and Arson Investigator. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and firearms enthusiast, a member of the NRA and the Single Action Shooters Society. Rod had a passion for bluegrass and country music and played the guitar. He will be fondly remembered as one who devoted his life to his beloved wife and family and to the service of helping others. Rod's love for music and playing the guitar touched numerous lives and brought joy to all who knew him. Rod welcomed and loved all the young people his children brought into his home. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched. Rod was a member of the Cumberland Academy Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Lissa Marie Ballard; parents, William Howard Ballard and Lois Lee Burger Ballard; brothers, William Ollie Ballard and Ronald Louis Ballard; and sister, Carolyn Juanita Brassfield. He is survived by his loving wife, Bonnie Louise Crosslin Ballard of Hillsboro, TN; children, Brad Ballard of Murfreesboro, Elizabeth Carter (Matt), Gina Sain (Trey), Jeffrey Ballard (Amanda), Adam Ballard (Melissa) and William Ballard (Mandy) all of Manchester; sister, Delores Hastings of Tullahoma;sixteen grandchildren, Danielle Lemacks, Shelby Ballard, Lyndsey Franklin, Samantha Ballard, Connor Ballard, Jared Johnson, Samuel Sain, Christin Ballard, Jordon Ballard, Allison Ballard, Brandon Trussell, Shelby Trussell, Christopher Ballard, Cameron Ballard, Emma Ballard and Alissa Renee who is "on her way"; five great-grandchildren, Raycen, Emmerald, Chasae, Lilly and Landen; beloved friends, Dennis & Roger Taylor, the family of Grover & Linda Crosslin, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; the Brotherhood of FireFighters at the Manchester Fire & Rescue; and countless others who called him "Pa Rod". Visitation will be on Monday, August 27, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be conducted on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Central Funeral Home with Brother Dale Woods, Weldon Payne and Mark Reed officiating. Burial will follow at the Manchester City Cemetery with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to the Manchester Fire & Rescue Department "Firemans Fund". Arrangements with CENTRAL FUNERAL HOME. www.centralfuneralhome.com.