Willard Edward Ballentine

Willard Edward Ballentine very peacefully passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at Wexner Medical Center in Columbus Ohio at the age of 91. Willard is survived by his devoted wife of 72 years, Jayne (Wright) Ballentine; children, Charles S. (Barbara) Ballentine and John H. (DeAnn) Ballentine; grandchildren, Kevin (Jenelle) Ballentine, Lisa (Robert) Ballentine-Price and Brian (Melissa) Ballentine; three great-grandchildren, Michael, Rachel and Alexis and special friend and wartime buddy, William Bolden. He is preceded in death by his daughter Patricia J. Ballentine and eldest son Thomas W. Ballentine. Willard was born on July 26, 1923 in Holly Springs North Carolina to the late William and Sadie Ballentine. He moved to Columbus as a teenager when his father was hired by the post office. He attended Central High School where he joined the track team and caught the eye of a fellow student who would become his future wife. After graduation he was drafted into the Army but returned on furlough to marry his sweetheart, Jayne in October 1942. He was deployed to Algeria where he served in a segregated combat engineering unit just prior to the Normandy invasion. Later he was redeployed to the European theater and saw action in Germany and France. His unit received multiple combat decorations for their efforts in constructing the floating Pontoon bridges that facilitated the rapid advance of Allied forces into Europe following the Allied invasion. After the war, he returned to Columbus and began a 25 year career working for the Post Office. Within one year of his first retirement, he began a new career working for the Columbus School Board in the maintenance department, eventually retiring from there as well. During their long marriage the couple raised 4 children, who remember him as a loving and generous father devoted to his family and who supported them in all their pursuits. His creative passion for home movies documenting every phase of family life has produced priceless heirlooms. Willard was a tireless and accomplished handyman around the house, who took on major renovations and improvements with professional results despite minimal formal training. All who knew him are grateful for the time he was with us, and will continue to be with us, as he has touched and molded all of our lives. Visitation will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 313 North State Street, Westerville Ohio from 9-10:30 am, Saturday, December 20, 2014 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial. Fr. Charles F. Klinger, celebrant. Internment at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens will follow the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Willard's life. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association, 1379 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215. Condolences in Willard's memory may be sent to www.schoedinger.com. The family would like to thank all the caregivers and hospital staff for their dedication and efforts. Arrangements entrusted to SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST CHAPEL, 614-939-4558.