Mr. Leon Ballard of McKenzie passed away Sunday, May 28, 2017 at his residence after a stoic battle with cancer. He was 66.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at Bushfield Cemetery (Red Level) with military honors. Rev. Larry Smith will officiate. Keahey Funeral Home of Andalusia is entrusted with arrangements.

He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Ballard of McKenzie; sons, Richard Leon (Samantha) Ballard of California, Adam R. (Deedra) Clark and Charles A. Ballard; daughter, Jessica D. Reeves of Andalusia; brothers, Winfred (Jeanete) Ballard, Earl (Blanche) Ballard and Gene (Eunice) Ballard, all of McKenzie; grandchildren, Cameron Ballard, Gabriel Ballard, Ariel Clark, Megan Lee, Trevor Clark, Gillis Royals, McKenna Reeves, Starla Ballard and Daniel Clark; and several great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Homer Lamar Ballard.

Serving as pallbearers will be Gillis Royals, James Neal, Trevor Clark, Lamar Lawson, Dusty Lawson, Joel Kervin.

The Ballards attend Grace Baptist Church. Mr. Ballard worked as a managing forester with Union Camp Wood Products and served in the United States National Guard. He was a 1969 graduate of McKenzie High School.