Billy Lanoy Ballard, 1960–2021

GIRARD—Dr. Billy Lanoy Ballard, age 60, passed from this world on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. Bill was born May 28, 1960, in Spur, Texas, to Billy Ray Ballard and Nellie Mae Hilton Ballard. He grew up on the family farm in Kent County and graduated from Jayton-Girard High School.

Bill earned a Bachelor of Science at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, a Master of Science at the University of North Texas in Denton, a Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and a Law Degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock.

Bill worked at numerous jobs through the years, (White’s Auto, Herschfield Steel, roughneck), to pay for his education. He was a college professor at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, The College of Charleston in South Carolina, Texas Tech University in Lubbock, and Wayland Baptist University in Lubbock. He also had a private law practice in Lubbock and Spur, and served eight years as county attorney for Kent County.

Two qualities that best describe Bill were fairness and his love of knowledge. He was most loved by his family, his daughter, Allison and husband, Alan, and his two wonderful grandchildren, Bond and Felicity; his sister Kathy and Benny, niece Brooke, nephew Clayton and Tanya, and greatnephew William; his sister Lisa, nephew Blaine and Savannah, great-nephew Dean, great-niece June; Drew and Julia; Logan and Leia. He was also loved by his amazing family of cousins and a multitude of friends.

Services were held at 3 p.m. Saturday, January 16, at the Girard Chapel in Girard, Texas, under the care of Zapata Funeral Home. Burial followed at the Girard Cemetery.