Frank R. Ballard Jr.

Frank R. Ballard, Jr. Waterford Frank R. Ballard, Jr., 86, of Waterford, died at Brookdale Senior Living Sterling House in Battle Creek, MI, on Monday, January 19, 2009. He was born in Aloha, MI to Frank R. And Margaret May (Dunn) Ballard on April 27, 1922. Frank was raised in Cheboygan County, worked at a CCC camp and at age 16 moved to Pontiac to work for Pontiac Motors. Frank served with the U.S. Army during WWII and received two Bronze Stars. After the war he returned to Pontiac and worked for an electrical supply company, then as a car salesman for 11 years and retired as the chief of maintenance, after 22 years, with the Oakland County Drain Commission. Frank was united in marriage to Arlene Frances McManus at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pontiac on April 12, 1947. He was preceded in death by Arlene, his wife of 60+ years on July 7, 2008; by four brothers, Wilson, Clayton, Felix and Dave Ballard; and a sister, Theresa Shampine. Surviving are five children, Jana (Larry) Franklin of Largo, FL, Frank R. III (Meg) Ballard of Battle Creek, Diana (Wayne) Corbeille of Las Vegas, NV, Michael Ballard of Stuart, FL, and, Nancy Ballard of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Matthew, Michelle (Grant), Maria, Lela, Frankie, Breana, Wayne (Jill), Corina, Nick and Bryce; two great-grandchildren, Madelyn and Dylan; a brother, Wayne (Shirley) Ballard of Midland; and two sisters, Shirley (John) Bozek and Muriel Smith, both of Waterford. He was a longtime member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pontiac and the Waterford V.F.W. Frank enjoyed working in his yard and was an avid reader. At the request of the family, friends may call 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home in Battle Creek; and on Friday at Riverside Chapel in Waterford, MI 6:00-8:00 p.m. Services to celebrate Frank's life will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pontiac, MI 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 24, 2009. Military honors and interment will follow at Ottawa Park Cemetery, Clarkston, MI. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com