Dewitt Ballard

DeWitt Richard Ballard, 77-year-old former Nowata resident passed away Thursday, April 15, 2010 at the Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Merriam, Kansas. Mr. Ballard was born January 13, 1933 in Nowata, Oklahoma to Jack Ballard and Delva Mae McMains-Ballard. He attended schools in Nowata where he played quarterback for the Ironmen football team and graduated with the Class of 1952. Mr. Ballard went on to serve his country in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. He married JoAnn Boultinghouse in 1955 in Nowata. He later married Mary Elizabeth Holland on December 16, 1966 in Dewey. Mr. Ballard worked as a machinist for the Santa Fe Railroad for nearly 30 years until his retirement. Mr. Ballard was a huge OU Sooners fan. He also spent a great deal of time outdoors hunting and fishing. Mr. Ballard absolutely loved being in the fields quail hunting. Above all, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Mr. Ballard is survived by three sons, Jim Ballard of Muskogee, Alan Ballard of Sand Springs, and Michael Ballard and his wife Tammy of Kansas City, Kansas; by three stepchildren, John Hoskins and his wife Jessie of Merriam, Kansas, Jack Hoskins and his wife Charlene of Kansas City, Kansas, and Laura Hoskins of Williston, North Dakota; by three brothers, Tom Ballard and wife Mary of Vinita, Jess Ballard and wife Betty of Hominy, Lyle Ballard and wife Joan of Hominy; by two sisters, Billie June Stookey of Bartlesville, and Lynn and husband Kevin Reaser of Collinsville; by 16 grandchildren; and by 9 great-grandchildren. Mr. Ballard was preceded in death by his parents; by his wife, Mary; by a brother Benny Ballard; and by a brother-in-law, Bob Stookey.

Service Details

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010 10:00am, Benjamin Funeral Home

Interment Details

McMains Cemetery