In loving memory of Willis Franklin Ballard Jr.

Willis Franklin Ballard, Jr. passed away peacefully on June 6, 2024, at the age of 89 after a long illness.  Born on October 10, 1934, Willis was the son of Willis Franklin Ballard, Sr. and Mattie Robertson Ballard.  For 38 years, he was the loving husband of the late DeLee Garner Smith Ballard.

Willis enjoyed outdoor living and spending time at his mountain home, traveling, community service, and spending time with family and friends.  His favorite past times included tennis, Gamecock football, and lake life on Beaver Creek. Willis was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church of Lancaster.  He served his church in various rolls including church council, United Methodist Men, Sunday school teacher of the Adult Fellowship class, Board of Stewards. Stewardship and building planning committees, and long-time usher.

Willis was a graduate of Lancaster High School and the University of South Carolina with a degree in accounting. He was a past president of First Federal Saving and Loan Association which later merged with Security Federal where he served on the Board of Directors.  He later achieved the certification of Certified Residential Appraiser where he practiced with his daughter until retirement.

Willis was an Eagle Scout and very active in the local scouting program.  He served two terms on the Lancaster City Council and served as President of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce.  He served on the Elliott White Springs Memorial Hospital Board serving as Secretary and Treasurer.  He was a charter member of the Lancaster Breakfast Rotary Club where he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow award.  He and his wife, DeLee volunteered by delivering meals for Meals on Wheels.

Willis is survived by his two daughters who have loved him since the day they were born and will love him until the day they die, Mary Elizabeth Ballard Lyles, her husband, Alan, and their son, Ethan of Spartanburg and Jennifer Sharp Ballard Page, her husband Tim, and their sons, Jonah, Elijah and Samuel of Lancaster.  His first wife of 28 years, Barbara Sharp Gibson.  DeLee's daughters LeShaey Burchfield and Carrie Lee Mabrey and DeLee's six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.  Also, his loving fur baby, Beau.  His special family at Lancaster Grove and his special caregivers at Hospice of Lancaster and the Piedmont and Veda Harris and Dora Lucas.

Willis is preceded in death by his sisters who he adored, Elizabeth Ballard Mobley and Carolyn Ballard Tilson.

The celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 15th at First United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Neal Woods with private burial.

The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 W Gay Street, Lancaster, SC 29720 or the American Cancer Society.

"I'll fly away, oh, Glory

I'll fly away

When I die, Hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away"

-Albert E. Brumley