Willis Douglas Ballard

Willis Douglas Ballard, 79, passed away peacefully with his sweetheart Tara by his side in Farmington, New Mexico on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

Willis Douglas Ballard, the fourth of six children, born in Jeffersontown, Kentucky to Nannie Mae (Weaver) Ballard and Willis Frazier Ballard on Wednesday August 13, 1947. He graduated from High School at Lincoln Institute in 1965.

He honorably served in the United States Army starting on December 1st 1967 through October 10th 1969.

Doug drove an 18- wheeler visiting all the states and Canada, he loved to see the country. He prided himself for having driven over 2 million miles without ever being in an accident. Doug was a walking atlas as he knew every highway and byway across the country. He loved to fish, play pool, bid whist & hearts with his family, and loved classic cars. Doug was a CB enthusiast, running with the handle Groundhog302 he was involved with international cities around the world. The greatest storyteller you’d ever meet; he could make anyone laugh. He was a man of his word, uncompromising, stalwart, and devoted to his family in Kentucky, New Mexico and Colorado. 

Doug was loved by his whole family and everyone had a special name for him including, "Pops", "Old Man", "Daddy O's" and "Dougy Fresh" and lovingly Dougy. 

The loved ones left to cherish the precious memories and legacy of Doug are his wife Tara Louise Ballard: his seven children, Douglas Martez Ballard, Kowona Anne Ballard, Francis Mae Shanta Ballard-Walls (Michael Walls), Austin Frazier Ballard, Robert Carter Martin, Katie Marie Ballard-Palmer (Cameron Palmer), Victoria Florine Ballard-Martin; a brother, William Ballard (Jann Ballard), two sisters, Mary Virginia Vogt and Senora Beatrice Weathers; sixteen grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death and has reunited with both parents and two siblings, Windor (Winnie) A. Ballard and Joetta Katherine Davis.

Though his presence will be deeply missed, the memories he created, the lives he touched, and the love he shared will remain in the hearts of those who knew him.

Services are temporarily scheduled for April of 2027 with a military honors at Rest Haven in Louisville ,Kentucky.