LANCASTER, SC :::::::::: Mr. Marion Thomas Ballard, age 73, of 3999 Great Falls Highway, died Sunday, June 7, 2009 at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte. He was born December 27, 1935 in Lancaster County, the son of the late Chalmers B. Ballard and Ola Wilson Ballard and was the husband of the late Dorothy "Dot" Sims Ballard. Mr. Ballard retired from Springs Industries-Grace Bleachery, was a member of Camp Creek United Methodist Church and served our great country in the United States Army during the Korean War.Mr. Ballard is survived by a son, Chris Ballard and his wife Janet of Lancaster, a sister, Kathryn Ballard Horton of Lancaster, 2 grandchildren, Kristen Lea Ballard and Joseph Thomas Ballard, and several nieces and nephews.Mr. Ballard was preceded in death by a brother, William Chalmers Ballard and a sister, Peggy Jean Ballard Craig.The Celebration of Life Funeral Service for Mr. Ballard will be 2:00 pm Thursday afternoon, June 11, 2009 at Camp Creek United Methodist Church by Rev. Mike Catoe with entombment to follow at Lancaster Memorial Park Mausoleum.The Family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 pm Wednesday evening, June 10, 2009 at Hartley Funeral Home and suggest memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210 or the American Heart Association, 310-B Bennett Center Drive, Greer, SC 29650 or Camp Creek United Methodist Church, 4721 Great Falls Highway, Lancaster, SC 29720.