Albert “Al” Joseph Ballard

Albert “Al” Joseph Ballard, 88, of Yakima, returned to be with his Father in Heaven, Tuesday, September 11, 2018. Al was born June 19, 1930 in Pocatello, Idaho to Dewey and Nellie Ballard. His growing up years were spent living in Pocatello until the family settled in the Ellensburg, Washington area. He attended Ellensburg High School and as a young man there, he enjoyed playing football, basketball, and baseball. At the age of 18, Al enlisted in the Marines and served 14 months stationed in Korea. After returning from Korea, he enlisted in the Army National Guard where he retired after 41 years of service. He married the love of his life, Ellen Anderson on December 19, 1957, and after living in various places, they settled in Yakima, Washington. Al and Ellen celebrated 60 years of marriage this past December. In 1986, Al retired from the Yakima Training Center, Mates Department as a gifted mechanic. Al loved to travel and after his retirement, He and Ellen spent many years traveling throughout the United States. Al was a Harley Davidson motorcycle and antique tractor enthusiast. He loved his family dearly and loved to spend time with them, especially his 14 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Right up to his death he was active in Community Service and holding church callings for the Church of Latter-day Saints. Al is survived by his wife Ellen Ballard, daughters, Shelley Ballard, Kimberly (Wayne) Griffith, and son Albert D. Ballard, his brother Larry (Nona) Ballard and sister Marlene Hinkle, 14 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Dewey and Nellie Ballard, sons Joseph Wayne Ballard, Joseph Raymond Powell Ballard; one brother and two sisters. Al is loved and will be missed by all who knew him. A special thanks to all who cared for him at Astria Regional Medical Center and Willow Springs Convalescent Center. Funeral service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at 105 Hillcrest Drive, on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. To share a memory of Al, please visit www.keithandkeith.com