Mr. Richard Joseph Ballard, age 83, passed away, Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. Rich was born April 17, 1938, in Douglas, WY.; to the late William and Elisabeth Ballard. He was an avid pilot and loved planes. Rich was a man who could speak to anyone and always make someone laugh. To know Rich was to have a friend, who you could always count on. He always had a story to tell and people always loved to listen. He loved his grandchildren. All services will be private. Survivors include his wife Emily Ballard of Americus; daughter, Angie Ballard Thomas of Americus; grandchildren, Emily Anne & Mike Strickland, Sara Elisabeth & Derek Wolcott, Mary Frances Thomas and her fiancé John Farmer; great-grandchildren, Samantha Anne Strickland, Madison Taylor Wolcott, Thomas Ryan Wolcott, and Barrett Oliver Wolcott; a brother Kenneth Ballard and his wife Donna of Gurnsey, WY.; also surviving are a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother, Bill Ballard, Don Ballard of Douglas, WY.; and a son-in-law Russell Thomas, III. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children's Hospital PO Box 31356 Tampa, FL. 33631.