In loving memory of Marion "Ed" Edmond Ballard who died at home after a long illness on May 31 ^st . He was born to Alice and Green Ballard in Ben Wheeler, TX on February 5, 1922. He married Viola Smith on September 6, 1941, a marriage that lasted 69 years.

Ed grew up working on the family farms and after marriage, he and Viola worked on various farms and then followed and worked fruit harvests from California on to Washington. In the late forties they settled in Oroville to raise their family. Ed managed a couple of orchards before going into the construction trade. Some of the large construction projects he worked on include Grand Coulee Dam third power house, Chief Joe Dam expansion, Biles Coleman Plywood plant and several schools in the area.

Ed was a passionate hunter and fisherman. It is doubtful anyone has caught more mackinaw from Bonaparte Lake than he and Viola have. He enjoyed trap shooting for many years. Together they traveled most of the US states and western Canada in their motor homes over the last twenty five years.

Ed was the youngest and last of the 8 children. He also was preceded in death by his parents, their son Ray and Daughters Edna and Rose and one great grandson. He is survived by his wife, their daughter Alice (Joe) Gregg of Marysville and son Marion Ballard of Okanogan. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Special thanks go to his niece and nephew Mary and Richard Ellis for their assistance this past difficult year.

Graveside services for Ed Ballard, 89, will be held Saturday, June 25, 2011, at 11:00 AM at Riverview Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.