Obit: Ballard, William Cledith “Pete” (1943 - 2013)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Ballard, Burgett, Baker, Horvat, McIntire, Neisius, Dillard, Meuret

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co, WI) 8/14/2013

Ballard, William Cledith “Pete” (1 November 1943 - 7 August 2013)

William C. “Pete” Ballard, age 69, of Stanley, WI, passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2013, at his home, surrounded by family and friends. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2013, at Thorp Funeral Home, in Thorp, WI. Rev. Don Meuret officiated and burial followed in St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery in Thorp, WI. Pallbearers were: Cody Ballard, Tyler Ballard, Steve Horvat, Jim McIntire, Sebastian Neisius, and Jeff Dillard. Visitation was held at Thorp Funeral Home on Saturday from 11 a.m. until time of service.

William Cledith Ballard was born on November 1, 1943, in Covington, TN, the son of Melvin and Sara (Burgett) Ballard. He was raised and received his education in Tennessee before moving to Michigan as a young teenager. Pete worked as an electrician and a journeyman millwright in the auto parts manufacturing industry for many years. He was united in marriage to Peggy Baker on November 10, 1969, in Bridgman, MI. They resided in Three Oaks, MI, where he was instrumental in organizing the Rocket Youth football program. They moved to Stanley, WI in 1997, where Pete was very close with the local Mennonite community and did a lot of driving for them when needed.

In his spare time, he loved fishing, hunting, watching his grandsons, Tyler and Cody play football, listening to his granddaughter, Aryan, sing at competitions, and he also had a passion for gunsmithing.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy, of Stanley, WI; three grandchildren: Cody, Tyler and Aryan Ballard; three aunts; one uncle; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents, and by three children: David, Tina and Peter Ballard.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.  The Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.