Longtime electrician

Former San Jose resident Willis (Bill) Ballard passed away in Lodi, Calif. on Sept. 29, 2008 at the age of 68 after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Mr. Ballard was born in Washington on May 31, 1940, and lived in San Jose for 30 years.

He spent 40 years working as an electrician and was a longtime member of the Lions Club. His hobbies included cooking and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Mr. Ballard was preceded in death by sister Eleanor Ballard, brother Ronald Ballard, and daughters Charlene and Pauline. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Patricia Ballard of Galt; sons Michael Ballard of San Jose, Willis Ballard of Idaho, Matthew Ballard of Loomis, and Mark Ballard of Plymouth; daughters Yulita Nicholson and Renee Ballard-Pinto; brothers Clifford Ballard of Washington, Roy Hager of Oregon, David Ballard of Washington, and Rick Ballard of California; sisters Sylvia Weststock of Missouri, Kathy Wester of Oregon, Pamela Roberts of Washington, Sharon Davis of Colorado, and Alice Morissete of Missouri; 16 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Mr. Ballard's family thanks the staff at the Wine Country Care Center for his loving care for the last two years.

Services were held on Oct. 4 at the Galt United Methodist Church, where Mr. Ballard was a member. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Sacramento Parkinson's Disease chapter.