William H. "Cotton" Ballard, age 80 of Strong, fondly known by friends and family as "Cotton",
departed this earthly life from his home surrounded by his loving family and entered the waiting
arms of Jesus Christ his Lord and Savior on the early eve of February 19, 2009.

He was born May 20, 1928 in Union County and was the son of Henry Crawford and Glennie
Lee Ballard. He was a member and deacon of Knowles Baptist Church, where he also served as
adult Sunday School teacher. Cotton's greatest passions in life were God, his loving wife Ann of
51 years, his dear children, and his loving feline companion "Tabitha". Also, the fruits of his
labor, his vegetable garden, he also enjoyed deer hunting and reciting poetry, and dancing the
waltz with his sweetheart Ann.

Preceding him him in death were his parents, Henry Crawford and Glennie Lee Ballard, a brother
Maurice Ballard, sisters Maryann Hale and Maurine Stein.

Survivors include a brother Harold Ballard and wife Mary Sue of Texas City, Texas, his loving
devoted wife Della Ann of Strong, son Richard Ballard and wife Sandy of Strong, daughter
Cathy Reese and husband Jim of Lockesburg, Arkansas, daughter Saundra Norris and husband
Tom of Junction City, Louisiana, son Aaron Ballard and wife Tomi of El Dorado, son Joseph
Ballard and wife LeAnne of Riverside, Texas, son Morgan David Ballard of Strong, daughter
Elizabeth Acton and husband Jerry of Eubank, Kentucky, and son Howard Wayne Ballard of El
Dorado, eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren, with numerous nephews and nieces.
Cotton leaves many sweet memories to all who knew him and will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be from 5:00pm until 8:00pm Friday February 20th, 2009 at Knowles Baptist
Church in Strong, with funeral service to be conducted at 2:00pm Saturday February 21st, with
Pastor Tommy Nash officiating services. Burial to follow at Centerpoint Cemetery. Pallbearers
will be his son Joseph, son-in-law Jim Reese, nephew Travis Cothron and deacons; Randall
Pagan, Terry Bolding, Cliff McCoy, David Johnson, and Don Smith. Memorials may be made to
Knowles Baptist Church or Life Touch Hospice.