Walter Wilson Ballard

Moline, Illinois Walter W. Ballard, 86, of Bettendorf, Iowa, formerly of Moline, died Wednesday, August 27, 2003, in Trinity Medical Center, Rock Island.

Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Trimble Funeral Home, Moline, with The Reverend George Loveland officiating. Burial is in Moline Memorial Park. Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, where Doric Lodge #319, AF & AM, will conduct Masonic funeral services at 6 p.m. Friday. Memorials may be made to Bethel Wesley United Methodist Church, Moline.

Walter Wilson Ballard was born March 5, 1917, in Chrisman, Illinois, the son of John Franklin and Edith May (Cook) Ballard. He graduated from Chrisman Township High School as Valedictorian of the 1935 class, and attended Bradley University and the University of Wisconsin. He married Shirley Louise Hoffman on September 14, 1940, in Peoria. She died September 20, 2001. He was employed by Deere and Company as a manufacturing engineer for 18 years, retiring in 1980. He previously worked for Caterpillar Tractor Company, L. R. Nelson Company, and Aldrich Company. Following his retirement he worked for Bendix Tool Company and Dearborn Manufacturing Systems, both in Michigan. He held six patents for lawn sprinklers and irrigation equipment. Walter was as active member of the Masonic Fraternity. He was Past Master and a life member of Doric Lodge #319, AF & AM, and a 32nd Degree member, life member, and Past Treasurer of Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Moline, where he received the Moline Cross Award. In addition, he was an honorary member of Moline Lodge #1014, AF & AM, and a member of Kaaba Shrine Temple, Hi-12 International, Black Hawk Shrine Club, Sauk Trails Scottish Rite Club, and the Illinois Lodge of Research, and a former member of Temple Lodge #46, AF & AM, Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Peoria, and Mohammed Shrine Temple, all in Peoria. He was a member of Bethel-Wesley United Methodist Church, Moline, a 50-year member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and had been active in Boy Scouts as a member and adult leader.

Walter is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Ernest L. and Diane Ballard of East Moline, and Dan W. Ballard of Moline; four grandsons, Todd Ballard, Eric Ballard, Michael and Sarah Ballard, and Jeffrey and Naomi Ballard; and two brothers and a sister-in-law, Ernest Ballard of Altamont, Illinois, and Roger and Mary Ballard of Phoenix, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his wife, sisters, Margaret Mills and Florence Rogers, and brothers, Maurice and Wayne Ballard.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.