United States Army Korean VeteranThe house where I was born is still being used as a residence. It has changed down through the years, but the basic structure is still there. Bob and Shirley Cooper live there. I was born to Bill and Ethel Albin Ballard May 10, 1930, the fifth of six boys. The Dry Lake Community holds lots of fond memories and a few bad ones. My Dad died while we lived there --I was 16.I started to school in Spur in 1936 and graduated in 1948. I played football and baseball for Spur High. My brother, Cracker and I were best friends with Tommy and Bural Conaway. In Junior High we had Mr. Robert Williams for a teacher. I can remember Tommy and I getting in trouble and Mr. Williams made us go before the upper classes and sing "Three Blind Mice" and "Three Little Fishes". That was bad, but when we had to sing before the lower classes that was worse. He was not above using a paddle either and he was the best teacher a boy could have.
I entered the army for the Korean conflict in November of 1952 and was released in October of 1954, five years later I was discharged. For basic training I was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. I served eighteen months in Alaska at Ladd Army Six Mile Camp.
I moved from Dry Lake to Kent County in March of 1955. I still reside there.
I married Neil Hilton from Jayton in September of 1957. We have three children. Kathy, who married Danny Smith and teaches High School English and Spanish in Belton, Texas. Lisa who married Larry Dyess and teaches second grade in Bronte, Texas. Billy, who is not married at this time. He is holding down a job and getting his degree at San Angelo State University. We have two granddaughters. Nell and I divorced in December of 1980.
I have been farming for 41 years. Although the farming situation is bad right now; it is still a great way of life. Spur and Dickens County will always be my home.
Services for Billy Ray Ballard 59, of Girard were at 3 p.m. October 3, 1989 in the First United Methodist Church, Spur, with pastor Rev. John Dorn, officiating.Ballard was pronounced dead of natural causes on Sunday, October 1, 1989 at his home. He was born May 14, 1930 in Dickens County and had resided in Dickens and Kent County, most of his life.
A farmer, he was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and a member of the Methodist Church.
Survivors include a son, Billy Lanoy Ballard, Knoxville, TN; two daughters, Kathy Smith, Belton and Lisa Dyess, Bronte; three brothers, Geroge, Preston and Fletcher Ballard, all of Rochester; a sister-in-law, Jerrie Ballard, Spur; four grandchildren.
Burial was in Spur Memorial Cemetery.
©The Texas Spur, October 5, 1989
from the records of Lillian Grace Nay
© Dickens County Historical Commission 1997-2022
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