Wayland Lee Ballard

Octoner 9, 1930 ~ February 20, 2016

© Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home

Submitted by: T.D.

Wayland Lee Ballard a current resident of Durant, Oklahoma, left this life in Colbert, Oklahoma, on February 12, 2016, at the age of 85. He was born in Bee, Oklahoma (Johnston County) on October 9, 1930 to Clarence (Bill) and Edith Myrtle (Anderson) Ballard. Wayland married his beloved partner in life, Nancy Ann Hendricks, in Durant, Oklahoma on March 23, 1950.

Mr. Ballard was a member of the First United Methodist Church and served his country proudly in the United States Army Infantry during the Korean War. He successfully earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Master of Arts in Education. Wayland was a principal and teacher at the Nida School District, and was employed by North American Aviation in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was a Supervisor of Technical and Support Planning while working on the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo Space programs. He retired as a Planning Manager from Rockwell International in Chicago, Illinois. Wayland was a 33rd degree Mason in the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, A.F. and A.M. and active member of the Shriners. Wayland enjoyed woodworking and a good game of dominoes.

Mr. Ballard is survived by his children, Tina Ann Ballard of Naperville, Illinois and Terry Lee Ballard of Durant, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Jessica Ann Jarboe Teeling of Joliet, Illinois, Rebecca Ann Ballard Otero of West Des Moines, Iowa and William Lee Ballard of Grand Prairie, Texas; great-grandchildren, Richard John Teeling, III of Lockport, Illinois, Jordan Ryan Teeling of Lockport, Illinois, Stephanie Rae Teeling of Naperville, Illinois, Kiali Jo Otero of West Des Moines, Iowa, Nathan Alexander Brazell of West Des Moines, Iowa and Jeremiah Allen Kunz of West Des Moines, Iowa; 1 nephew and 6 nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence (Bill) and Edith Ballard and his wife, Nancy Ballard.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 7-8:00 PM Tuesday, February 16, at the Holmes Coffey Murray Funeral Home in Durant. A chapel service will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday, February 17, at the Holmes Coffey Murray Chapel with Pastor Breon officiating. Pallbearers will be fellow Masonic members: Paul Owens, Mark McMurry, Billy Sprause, Ray Tomerlin, Charles Manning and Shawn Springer. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Tolbert and Andrew Perkins. Interment will follow at the Highland Cemetery.

Family and friends may send online condolences and view tributes at www.holmescoffeymurray.com.

Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home, Durant, Oklahoma.

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