Alton Loraine Ballard

BALLARD, ALTON Alton Loraine Ballard departed this life on Monday, April 8, 2002 at his home after a long illness. Services will be held at Cornerstone Baptist Church at 1:00PM Thursday, April 11, where he was a charter member and served as Sunday School Superintendent and church pianist, with Rev. Ivan Ker officiating. Burial will follow at Restland Cemetery in Gatesville. The family will receive visitors on Wednesday evening from 7:00-9:00 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 6101 Bosque Blvd. Alton was born in Pearl, Texas on May 11, 1941. After graduating Gatesville High School in 1969, Alton attended Baylor University, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education, his Master’s and his Specialist in Education degree. Upon earning his teachers certificate, he was hired by Midway ISD, where he taught American History, Texas History, English and Bible History. Later in his career, Alton was named Public Relations/Personnel Director, a post that he held until his retirement in 1996. Fueled by his love of basketball, Alton became involved with the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches first as newsletter editor and was later named Executive Director, a post he held until his death. Alton is preceded in death by his father, George Loraine Ballard and his brother, J.R. Ballard. Alton is survived by his mother, Mrs. Emma Ballard, of Waco as well as his two nieces, Mrs. Deborah Kelley, her husband, Clint, and Mrs. Lorri Peterson and her husband, Ron; his sister-in-law, Mrs. Joyce Ballard as well as his two beloved great nephews, Eric and Bryce and two great nieces, Elizabeth and Nicole, all of Waco. Pallbearers will be Reggie Davis, Tom Braden, Kent Bachtel, Mike Forbis, Joe Huddleston, Harry Miller, Buddy Skeen and Ken Cook. Honorary pallbearers are the basketball coaches from across the State of Texas. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY