He was my friend and will always be a part of me.



Though I do not know many of my oldest Aunts and Uncles well, the love is still there. I hope and pray for comfort to all as he is layed to rest. I hope that my mom is there to greet you with other family members as you pass through those gates. 

To your wife and children,

There will be times when missing him is unbearable. Through those times I hope that you find peace in the memories he left behind, the mark he clearly left on others. It's a beautiful thing to read some of the memories I have. All so many great things. I love you all!

~~Kerri~~

Uncle Benny you are forever in my heart. I will never forget all the times you guys came to Waco to go dancing with Cherokee Rose. All the good fun times and memories. And I am forever grateful to you and Aunt Linda taking Momma in after her open heart surgery. Yall were always there when your family needed you and you never missed a wedding, funeral, or family reunion even living so far away. Yall always made time to drive to Waco. Your smile and loving heart were contagious Uncle. You gave the best hugs, and made me feel safe. I love you and will miss you beyond words! Until we meet again, Niece Lisa

Uncle Benny was such a big presence. He always gave me the biggest hug and a kiss on my head. We stayed with him and Aunt Linda in Texas City a few times when we would go visit Galveston and they were always so welcoming and loving. Uncle Benny told us all of the best spots to visit and he hand drew us maps so we would know how to get around town. Uncle Benny was so special to us and I'm so grateful that he wanted us as guests so we could have those memories. It's something I will always cherish. We love you and will miss you so much. Thank you for always telling me stories about my Nani.

I worked with Benny as a machinist and for Benny when he made supervisor at the AMOCO refinery. Benny was a top notch person, supervisor, and friend. He will be missed by all who knew him.

My favorite memory I’ve had with pawpaw was everytime I was near him, he would smile so big and say ‘hey baby!’ I always always remember him doing that. He always find the way to make me smile. Always supporting me through anything. Every time I stay over with pawpaw and memaw, he would make me breakfast. It always taste good. I will forever miss his laugh, food he makes, smile, everything. I will continue to hold those amazing memories that me and pawpaw made. 

My pawpaw was always such an amazing, kind, and loving person. I remember going to barrel races and hearing him cheering me on in the stands, but the best memory was all of his “hey baby’s” . Pawpaw will forever be missed. 

It's been hard to find the words to describe my Pawpaw and what his passing means to me, his friends, family, and anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. This week has been difficult to say the least. There are so many things I'll miss about him... No more "Hey Baby" when you see him in a room. No more tight squeezes against his always sweaty chest/pits. I will always remember him cheering in the stands of the motocross races, smiling proud at graduations and band concerts, and showing his love and support at our weddings. 

Thank you for always being there. I will miss you more than words can express. I Love you Pawpaw. 

I remember when Benny would come up from Houston to visit he would always greet me by grabbing my hair , slapping me around a bit and then end it with a pat on my head , it was his way of saying I’m your older brother I’m here and I love you ! I’ll miss you Benny 

My Pawpaw was always so supportive of us grandkids. Any event we had and he was there. It's going to be hard with the rest of our life events as we look over to see his absence. But I'd like to think that he will still be there with us. I'm sad that I didnt get to dance with him at my wedding, but it's ok. He owes me a dance in heaven. 
Love you Pawpaw. 

Benny.. you will be missed dearly  but never forgotten..the last conversation I had with my brother was talking about farming and chickens..simple things...never a bad word..he was always happy to see you...Benny was also a good card player and washer thrower..and I know he was a wonderful husband...Daddy ..and grandpa..and brother...    Timmy

My Uncle Benny was always the sweetest man! Whenever I saw him, I could always look forward to the best hugs and hey baby!!! You will truly be missed!

Pawpaw left me with so many happy memories. He raised me with love, westerns, Goober Grape, and RC Cola. I remember cracking pecans we picked from the backyard, fishing off Texas City piers, and being chased by mean ducks at the nearby park. My childhood is full of laughter, "hey baby" and tickles, and family time because of the amazing man we are all mourning. Life goes on, but every family gathering will be missing one big, warm hug and kiss. Each Thanksgiving and Christmas, I'll be missing the request of a jello pumpkin pie and arguing which of Meemaw's desserts is better than the pie. (He always argued the pie was the best, but I'll never out bake Meemaw). You gave us as much time as you could, but I would have gladly taken more. This grandbaby of yours will never be the same. Thank you for loving us and fighting at the end. Rest now.

My first hunting experience from the man himself! He was always there for me.

Ben got me my first job at Armco ,was there when my first child was born. Taught me how to shoot a gun. introduced me to fishing in the gulf. introduced me to deer hunting ,which I really enjoyed. and not to mention all the fine eating establishments. dove hunting ,hell he was always there for me, what ever I needed when ever I needed it . thanks for being there Ben . I've always been proud to call you my brother!

My best memory of Pawpaw was the first time he met his very first great grandson "Sammy". He had this big smile on his face. Every time he saw me, he would ask about the boys, and if Kristina was treating me well...haha! 
His smile and love for his family will be greatly missed. 

Dear Linda and family,
We the Ochoa family are so sorry to hear of your loss,  we have known Benny for so very long along with Linda.  We have been through so many losses together but never expected this one.  Our love,  thoughts, prayers and  condolences go out to each of you.

The Ochoa family 

We first  met while working in the Bull Gang at Armco Steel, and eventually working with him full time at the Blooming Mill.
Meeting Linda and their kids and spending so much time together.
Him coming to my house to carpool with me to Amoco Oil for his first day with his hand wrapped up the size of a football following an unfortunate encounter with a Volkswagen.
Us making up words to songs and singing them while working and playing.
Riding home in a cab together after a graveyard double shift with a delusional driver who kept "seeing things".
All the dove hunts to South Texas.
Fishing.
"Spades " in the Changehouse with Tom Everett and Wayne Blansett during lunch.
Him dropping his soap in the Changehouse shower and shouting out "I DROPPED MY SOAP" while picking it up. Everyone cracked up.
"Hey Baby".
"COWBOYS!"
Barney spitting tobacco on him while working on 402-J Gas Turbine at Cat-3.
Benny observed human behavior, so one day I ate all of my sandwich but the bottom corner. The next day I did the same thing and noticed a curious look on his face.  On the third day he could no longer stand it and asked "why aren't you eating all your sandwich"? I told him all the poison runs down to the bottom corner.  He threw the rest of his sandwich away. Our trust in each other had no bounds.
Working his first double time  shift with me on a holiday and him asking me what time it was.  I answered "$40 o'clock" (about 2-hrs into the shift).  After that he always referred to time on Sundays and Holidays in dollars.
Working and laughing hard together.
Although it's been years since my sons have seen him, they still refer to him as "Uncle Benny".
Dang, everyone's right. There really are too many to list.
Miss you buddy.



I will always remember his smile, chuckles and hugs!  But sitting on his lap I will miss the most.  Your never to old to sit in your daddy's lap.    I love you daddy!

 Rest now!

Thank you Benny and Linda, for letting my son share in the marriage of your daughter Charity,  back in March 16 of 1991.  That is when we met.  Such a sweet gentleman your were . Loved to see you smile. May you RIP.  God Bless you and families. 

As I child, I could always smell when Uncle Benny was around! He always smelled so nice, ( I swear he used a whole bottle of cologne) , it would stick around for days after he left! We never got to see him much, but every time we did he would hug my neck and tell me I was the prettiest girl in the world, and my Daddy got lucky! He was always so sweet, and kind, that’s how I will always remember him ❤️

So Manny memories, but some of them is Benny breaking out in song while watching TV or driving. Teaching Kristina to sing American Pie as a baby on the way to Waco. Loving the grand kids with all his being. I think that's one of the things he loved the holidays, he had his kids,grandkds, and great grandkids with him.

Don’t think of him as gone away
his journey’s just begun,
life holds so many facets
this earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting
from the sorrows and the tears
in a place of warmth and comfort
where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing
that we could know today
how nothing but our sadness
can really pass away.
And think of him as living
in the hearts of those he touched…
for nothing loved is ever lost
and he was loved so much.

My biggest memory of Uncle Benny was that he always had a smile on his face. I don’t think there was ever a time that he didn’t. He loved his family and was always there when someone needed help or just shoulders to cry on. ( my mom when granny passed away) RIP Uncle Benny. May your legacy live on through your children and their memories of you. Love you.

Benny always treated me with respect, even when I was just a punk teenager. I was very blessed just to know him. Thank God for this man who I have considered my friend. I am sure Neal and Mike  Rogers will be waiting in Heaven  and have the coffee ready, by the fire so they can catch up on old times. My prayers go to all his Family and many friends. God Bless you all. Wes

There are honestly too many memories to choose just one, but what I am blessed to be able to say, is that every memory I do have, is good. From going fishing, playing golf, bantering back and forth over football, him gloating about winning fantasy football, etc. I truly am going to miss walking into the house to hear his famous, “hey baby!” I love you Paw Paw. 

What do you put in a memory? there are so many to choose from! My best memories are me and my dad Hunting, Fishing and golfing things we had in common things we loved! The biggest was Family we both loved our family and his one desire was to keep the family together!

OBITUARY

Benny Ray Ballard

September 28, 1943 – May 18, 2020

Forest Park East Funeral Home & Cemetery

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