Wade H. Ballard

Mr. Wade Ballard, age 92 of Middleton, Tennessee, passed away Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at Pine Meadows Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

The husband of Annie Burgess Ballard, who survives, he was retired as a Master Sergeant in the United States Army, serving 23 1/2 years. He was born Monday, December 11, 1922 in Silerton, son of the late Ethel Marvin Ballard and Althea Naylor Ballard. His mother died within a few days of his birth and he was raised by her sister in law and husband, John and Mattie Naylor. He lived in Des Moines, Iowa for a while, where he operated an automotive service center and moved to Tennessee in 1988. He also was retired as a correctional officer with the State of Missouri Department of Corrections. A proud Tennessean, he was well known for his ability to fix anything mechanical brought to him by his neighbors and was affectionately known to his friends by the nickname 'Monkey Wrench'. Mr. Ballard attended the Rogers Springs Church of Christ for several years.

In addition to his wife, whom he married on June 4, 2005, survivors include a daughter and her husband, Wadene and Bill Jones of Middleton; a son and his wife, Oscar and Pamela Ballard of Des Moines, IA; two stepdaughters, Frances McKee of Walnut, MS and Janice Lipford of Middleton; a stepson, Barry Burgess of New Albany, MS; 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and four brothers, Otis, Tab and Edwin Ballard and Jack Naylor. Memorial donations in Mr. Ballard's name may be made to LeBonheur Children's Medical Center.