Joe Bailey Ballard Jr.

Joe Bailey Ballard, Jr. passed from this life on Thursday, November 20, 2025. Five weeks ago, Joe had a stroke that led to numerous complications. He passed away peacefully at his home in Granbury.
Joe was born at Methodist Hospital in Dallas, Texas on October 15, 1942, to Joe Bailey Ballard Sr. and Letha Sally Ballard (Cook). He was the youngest of two children born to the family. His dad, Joe Sr., was in the army at the time of Joe Jr's birth serving under General George Patton. His mom, Letha, was a wonderful mother and worked in Dallas as a seamstress.
Joe grew up in Grand Prairie until his mom and dad bought three acres on Wintergreen Road, in the Duncanville school district and Joe and his dad started building a new home. They finished that house in two years and Joe started school in Duncanville his sophomore year. He graduated from Duncanville High School (Class of 1961).
After graduating from high school, Joe started working at P&T Metal Detail where he was a machinist for Woodrow Thompson Sr. He worked there for six years learning the trade that he spent his life doing.
In February 1962, Joe reconnected with the love of his life, Delores Patterson, at a mutual friend's party. They began dating and in September of 1962, he proposed to Delores. Joe married Delores on September 28, 1963 and they were married for 62 years. After getting married, they moved to Dallas and lived there for four years before moving to DeSoto.
In 1968, Joe started his own company in his garage, Shopco Manufacturing. He worked out of his garage for one year, then moved his shop to a barn on his mother's property. He was there for two years building his business and then moved to a small shop in Cedar Hill. He was there until he and Delores built their own shop in 1979 on Cedar Hill Road. Joe was an accomplished master machinist building everything from small parts for automotive air-conditioning components, to large parts for military applications. He eventually built that business up and had 50 employees working for him. Both of his sons worked for him during that time.
In 1969, Joe and Delores had their first son, David Lee. In 1974, their second son, Justin Clint, was born.
Joe retired in 2016 and sold the business. Although retired, he built a smaller shop in Granbury where he continued to make parts part time with some of the equipment that he kept.
Joe was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved the outdoors and the mountains. He lived for his hunting trips to Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, and Idaho. He also loved to ski. Joe and his family made yearly visits to Red River, New Mexico where they skied, drove snow mobiles, hunted, fished, and enjoyed outdoor life. Joe and Delores loved to travel the world and Joe especially loved casinos.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Bailey Ballard Sr., and Letha Sally Ballard. His sister, JoAnn Blackburn and her husband, James Blackburn. His niece, Tammy Blackburn Wimmer and nephew, Mark Blackburn.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Delores Ballard, his son, David Ballard and wife, Charlotte. His son Justin Ballard and wife, Alicia Svrcek. His beloved grandchildren that he adored and were the love of his life Bailey, Joe, Maura, Luke, and Ellie. His two brothers-in-law, Don Patterson and Mike Patterson. He had many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that he loved dearly.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Texas Baptist Men in memory of Joe Bailey Ballard.
Arrangements under the care of Wiley Funeral Home, Granbury, Texas.