Willie "Billy" Ballard

NORTHPORT | Willie R. (Billy) Ballard, age 78, of Northport, Ala., passed away on April 28, 2014 at UAB Hospital. Services will be on Friday, May 2, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home with Pastors Cecil Smith and Albert Lyles officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park with Sunset Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will take place one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Naomi Ballard, and sister, Carolyn Swanson.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Zora Wilson Ballard; daughter, Sharon O’Neal (Forrest); son, Michael Ballard (Patsy); grandsons, Zach O’Neal (Jessica), Michael Ballard, Jr. and Mason Ballard; great-grandson, Emmitt O’Neal; brothers, Charles, David and Dudley; special nephew, Eric Swanson and other family members.

He was born July 4, 1935 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. He worked for Romaine Concrete for 35 years and founded Ballard Concrete Co. in 1986 and worked until he retired in 1996. He loved tractors, gardening and spending time with his family and many friends. He was a wonderful and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle. He will be missed but we know we will see him again thanks to our wonderful Lord and Savior.

Pallbearers will be Eric Swanson, Fred Robertson, Karl Lancaster, Cornell (Buck) James, Edward James and grandsons: Zach, Michael and Mason.

Honorary pallbearers are members of Flatwoods Baptist Church, friends and neighbors of the Flatwoods community, Curtis Wilson family, John Wilson family, Richard Brooks family, Billy Simmons family, Mr. and Mrs. John Freeman, Johnny Maughn, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Mills, Sara Richardson, Myrtle Ballard, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Bircheat, Pete Walker, Mr. and Mrs. Alva Rice, Mr. and Mrs. Billy Dunn, former employees of Romaine Concrete Co., employees of Ballard Construction, past and present, DCH Home Health Care, especially Lucille Brown and staff at MICU at UAB.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Flatwoods Baptist Church or charity of one’s choice.

Condolences may be offered at www.sunsetbrown-funeral.com.