Paul Ballard

January 2nd, 1944 - September 15th, 2012

Paul's Memory Wall

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Dear Vicki, and the extended Ballard Family;

I am very, very sorry to hear of your loss. I met Paul at the SHR&GC in the summer of 2009, when I was working in South Haven, and we became instant friends. Being the warm, caring, and kindhearted man he was, he invited me over often. Anytime I was passing through town, I would try to stop in and visit, or just to surprise him with a birthday card. (I started collecting brass for him, as a surprise, but now...)

I so enjoyed just sitting with him, and talking, and learning from him, until the wee hours of the morning. What a sweet man, with a heart of gold! And how he loved his family. I never met you, but I know from Paul that you meant the world to him.

We stayed in touch via email, but when I didn't receive any replies for a while, I had a terrible feeling that something was wrong. I wish it wasn't so.

Please accept my sincerest condolences. I was honored to call Paul my friend, and my mentor, and I will miss him dearly.

Kerry Silver

Kerry Silver

It's been a year now since I talked to Vicki and found out about Paul's passing. We first met 50 years ago when I transferred to Offutt AFB, Nebraska. Paul and I were in the 3rd Weather Wing together there for two years. Most of us didn't stay in touch after we were discharged, but Paul located me in 2006 and we soon became good buddies again. We had many of the same interests, and he hadn't changed a bit. I was hoping to get back there and take a train ride with him, but he retired before that could happen. He wrote me the day before his knee replacement, and I kept waiting to hear from him, but when I didn't, Vicki gave me the sad news. He loved Vicki very much, and often talked about her and worried about her health. He is well described by those who wrote before me - kind, helpful, caring, and fun. Paul was just Paul, a truly great guy who would give you the shirt off his back. I miss our email correspondence and phone conversations about the good old days, and know he's left a large hole in everyone's heart who knew him. RIP, old friend.

Paul Ballard

Paul's Memory Wall

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