Rev. Robert G. (Bob) Ballard, 86, graduated into eternal rest on Sunday, November 12, 2017. “Preacher” Ballard as he was called by many was born September 10, 1931 in Swannanoa to the late Conley Glenn and Donnie Ballard. A 1949 graduate of Swannanoa High School, he served in the US Air Force during the Korean War. In 1954, he married Catherine Whitt of Weaverville. Preacher Ballard retired from the North Carolina Department of Transportation where he worked for many years as a highway Inspector. He also pastored several churches in Western North Carolina from 1956 through 2003, including Lakewood Baptist Church (Black Mountain), Mt Bethel Free Will Baptist Church (Weaverville), East Black Mountain Free Will Baptist Church (Black Mountain), and Barnardsville Free Will Baptist Church (Barnardsville). He impacted thousands of lives during his years as a Pastor and countless more after retiring from ministry.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Martha Ballard of Swannanoa; and brother James Ballard of Weaverville.
He is survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Catherine W. Ballard of Swannanoa; son, Joe Ballard (wife Marchien) of Kathleen, GA; daughter, Pam Guy (husband Rev. Doug Guy) of Fletcher; grandchildren, Matthew Guy (Aubri), Jacqueline Anderson (Brady), Megan Robertson (Larry), Naomi Ballard, Nicole Rice, Femke Cote (Branden), Michelle West (David), Glenn Ballard, Ilse Ballard; and 7 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 15 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the chapel of Trinity Baptist Church in Asheville, his home church.
A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, November 16 at 12:00 pm at Trinity Baptist Church in Asheville, with Preacher Ballard's brother, Rev. Theodore Ballard and Pastor Emeritus of College Park Church of God (Cocoa, FL) officiating.
Burial will be in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Trinity Baptist Church Building Fund.
The family would like to publicly thank the staff of The Summit at Laurel Ridge for caring for our husband, Dad, and granddad these past few months.